American Dream

Career Award Barbara Kopple

American Dream explores the human cost of the rapid economic decline in America’s industrial heartland. In Austin, MN, a one-company town of 23,000 workers striking against the Hormel Company are forced to face much more than harsh corporate tactic of wage and benefit concession. They must also question the values, work ethic and American dream upon which they had based their lives. This stirring and dramatic film captures the tragedy of an American town where traditions, stability and human relationships are put to the test and tough choices about survival must be made. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and the Grand Jury Prize, Filmmaker’s Trophy and Audience Award at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival.

Director

Barbara Kopple

Producers

Barbara Kopple, Arthur Cohn

Release Year

1991

Festival Year

2001

Country

United States

Run Time

100 minutes