Director, Sharat Raju

In their American made car, the Singh family is on the road taking the great American family trip - the Grand Canyon. And, like most any father, Anant is pretty certain he can navigate his way through the smaller roads to take in the scenery and avoid the over-crowded interstate.

He was wrong. Their SUV breaks down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Anant, Indian born wearing a traditional turban, sees this as just another challenge - an opportunity to save the family and tell great stories about their escape from danger. He tries to fix the car. His wife, Nageena, is annoyed. Not only did she insist on taking the interstate, but also she is pretty certain that this will be the last family trip since her oldest son is moving away to New York.

That son, Jagdesh, just wants to get his cell phone to work so they can get some help, get on the road, get the trip over with, and head to Manhattan to start his new job. His brother, Ranjit, is a high school kid, and like most teenagers would rather be anywhere than with his parents. Especially not stranded in the middle of nowhere.

It becomes apparent to Anant that he cannot repair the car. So, he decides to wave down one of the infrequent cars that passes by instead. No one stops. Anant, undaunted, plans to try again. Ranjit isn't so sure. He says, "Dad, no one is going to stop because you look like a terrorist."
And so begins American Made, a conflict between a father and a son, assimilation versus identity, faith versus compromise. Entirely on the side of the road in the American desert beneath a steadily setting sun.