Potato Dreams of America

After leaving her abusive alcoholic husband, Lena lives with her young son, affectionately known as Potato, in the bustling city of Vladivostok, Soviet Union. In a world filled with turmoil, Potato often escapes into his own fantastical realities, where he envisions adventures that contrast sharply with his bleak surroundings. For instance, he pictures his parents performing an acrobatic Apache dance amid their real-life conflicts. At school, the young boy feels the weight of the fading communist ideology; a living portrait of Vladimir Lenin serves as a constant reminder, watching over the students during their mundane class photo sessions.

As a dedicated doctor, Lena works in a prison where she faces constant threats from her corrupt supervisor, who pressures her to falsely certify suspicious prisoner deaths. Life takes a whimsical turn when a rebellious TV channel begins airing pirated American movies, introducing Lena and Potato to the alluring charm of Hollywood’s happy endings. Meanwhile, Potato’s imagination takes a new twist when he meets Jesus Christ at Sunday school, leading him to bring his newfound friend into their home.

In a moment of desperation, Lena discovers an ad for a mail-order bride catalogue, igniting the hope for a fresh start. Potato, meanwhile, navigates the rough waters of school, grappling with bullies and questioning his sexuality, but even the guidance of Jesus cannot shield him from these harsh realities. Living under the critical gaze of Tamara, Lena’s discouraging mother, both mother and son hold on to the dream of reaching America. Their prayers seem to be answered when an older man named John, from Seattle, responds to Lena’s ad, offering them a chance for a new life.

Excited yet cautious, Lena and Potato arrive in Seattle, only to discover that John is a right-wing religious fundamentalist with conspiracy theories that challenge their new beginnings. As they attempt to build their lives as immigrants, Potato searches for his place in a new school while Lena finds herself working at a local Mexican restaurant. When Potato gathers the courage to come out to his mother, Lena assures him of her support but warns him to keep this part of his identity hidden from John, fearing the repercussions that could lead them back to Russia.

However, their lives take a dramatic turn when John finds out that Potato has been renting Gregg Araki’s The Living End from the local video store, forcing mother and son to confront the realities of their new life and the conservative values of the man who has taken them in.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03