Dreaming in American tells the story of Travessia*, Brazil, a small rural town in the state of Minas Gerais where half the population has left for Boston's North Shore—mostly to Eastmouth*, Massachusetts. This dismantling and consequent rebuilding of Travessia in the environs of Eastmouth reveals its contours in a series of encounters with Travessienses living on both sides of the border. The story is also told through the unifying voice of Milla, a young English teacher who sets out to understand the enormous changes in her town by making the choice to immigrate to Eastmouth herself. Through her journey, she dives into the heart of the 21st century American Dream, pursues goals of her own, and comes of age in a place somewhere between Brazil and the US. And, as her fellow Travessienses chart the uneasy space between new and old ideas of home, family and intimacy in the digital age, Milla too gradually uncovers the realities behind her “American Dreams.” Meanwhile, as American ideals of success permeate deeper into Travessia’s social fabric, unusually strong rains begin to overflow the Rio Doce (“Sweet River”), threatening to flood the town. Milla’s dreams, and those of the fractured Travessia community, balance precariously between aspiration and destruction.

Dreaming in American uses animation mixed with live-action vérité to dramatize this new kind of existence for Travessia’s people. Animation gives expression to the in-between quality that accompanies immigration while providing insight into our characters’ inner-worlds: memories of "home" and fantasies of "somewhere else". In this way, immigration’s socio-political issues are subtly revealed through personal stories, rather than directly and dogmatically, as is the case in many documentaries about the topic. This use of creative media powerfully humanizes immigration, causing viewers to empathize with our characters’ struggles, inspiring action.

We will also be creating a multi-media website to accompany the film. Our outreach web-component provides a forum to learn more about the issues we raise, giving the film a life outside its televised or theatrical broadcast. Further, web-component fosters a space for Travessienses on both sides of the border to post their photos, videos and thoughts, and will be open to others interested in creating dialogue. The site will also feature concrete guides and organizing tools for education, discussion continued advocacy. 

Please visit www.dreaminginamerican.com to see our trailer, crew bios, press kit, and related links. 

*Note: These are fictional names give to actual towns in Minas Gerais and Massachusetts