Miles from Home

Set in 1959, the film situates the Roberts family amid the late-1950s farm economy and social norms of small-town America. The period highlights economic pressures, changing agricultural practices, and a sense of community under scrutiny. The visit of Khrushchev to the U.S. Midwest provides a historical backdrop that contrasts with the family's private turmoil.

The story is anchored on a multi-generational farm in Iowa, surrounded by wide cornfields and rural landscapes. This setting embodies a once-prosperous way of life now strained by rising costs and volatile markets. The surrounding Midwest community acts as both witness and participant to the Roberts family's crisis.

💸 Desperation

Persistent debt and stagnating crop prices push the Roberts family toward drastic acts. Economic pressure erodes trust and drives decisions that blur moral lines. The film uses these pressures to explore how people respond when survival seems at stake.

🤝 Family Ties

The brothers' relationship swings between loyalty and conflict as they chase a common goal. Their dynamic shows how kinship can both support and complicate risky choices. Personal bonds are tested as the crisis spirals outward.

🗞️ Media & Narrative

A reporter's pursuit of a sensational story reveals how media can turn ordinary people into public figures. Public scrutiny and narrative framing influence what happens next for the brothers. The press's gaze adds moral ambiguity to their actions.

🌾 Rural Life

The agrarian setting shapes the stakes, rhythms, and consequences of every decision. Farm life, local fairs, and weather all contribute concrete textures to the drama. The film uses rural realism to highlight vulnerability and resilience in a tight-knit community.