Potato Dreams of America

After enduring years of abuse from her alcoholic husband, Lena decides to break free and start a new life. She moves to Vladivostok, Soviet Union, with her young son, nicknamed Potato, seeking a safer environment for them both.

In the midst of their struggles, Potato retreats into his own imaginative world where he envisions his parents in whimsical scenarios. For instance, during a domestic fight, he imagines them performing an acrobatic Apache dance, showcasing his innocent desire to escape reality.

At school, Potato begins to rebel against the waning communist ideology imposed on the children. This includes an eerie experience during a class photo in which a living portrait of Vladimir Lenin watches over them, symbolizing the oppressive atmosphere of the time.

Lena works as a doctor in a prison, where she faces grave moral dilemmas. Her corrupt supervisor threatens her if she refuses to falsify reports on prisoner deaths, putting her career and life at risk as she navigates this dangerous workplace.

When a rogue TV channel begins airing pirated American movies, Lena and Potato find joy and escapism in Hollywood's happy endings. This newfound love for American culture helps to lift their spirits and provides a temporary relief from their harsh realities.

At Sunday school, Potato imagines having a conversation with Jesus Christ, who becomes his new imaginary friend. This fantastical relationship brings him comfort, although it also leads him to reflect on his feelings and identity.

Discovering an advertisement for a mail-order bride catalogue, Lena decides to take a chance on finding a new life outside of Russia. This decision marks a pivotal moment, representing hope for a better future for both her and Potato.

As he faces bullying at school and begins to question his own sexuality, Potato seeks solace in faith but finds little reassurance from even his imaginary friend Jesus. This internal conflict complicates his already challenging childhood.

Both Lena and Potato harbor dreams of moving to America, fueled by their hopes for a better life. Their aspirations seem to be answered when an older man from Seattle named John responds to Lena's ad, offering them a chance to immigrate.

Excited to arrive in Seattle, Lena and Potato begin to envision a new life filled with opportunities. However, their excitement quickly turns to concern upon learning that John is a right-wing religious fundamentalist with unconventional beliefs.

As they adapt to life in America, Lena finds work at a Mexican restaurant while Potato struggles to fit in at his new school. The challenges of being immigrants in a foreign land complicate their transition and introduce new societal pressures.

Potato musters the courage to come out to Lena about his sexuality, and she reacts with love and support. However, she also warns him about John’s potential reaction, heightening the tension within their new family dynamic.

Their lives take a dramatic turn when John discovers that Potato has been renting an unconventional film, Gregg Araki's *The Living End*, from a local video store. This revelation threatens their newly built life, as John's extreme views could lead to dire consequences for the family.