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Logline

Fleeing violence and persecution, refugees start new lives in the rural town of Storm Lake, Iowa⁠—⁠working the meatpacking line by day and reaching for something greater. Chronicling six years of their lives against a backdrop of political turmoil and a global pandemic, THE AMERICANS explores what the pursuit of happiness truly means.

Short logline

Four refugees build lives around a meatpacking plant in Storm Lake, Iowa. Six years, one question: what does the pursuit of happiness actually mean?

World premiere

Documentary competition, 25th Lake Placid Film Festival, Saturday, November 7, 2026, Palace Theatre, Lake Placid, New York.

Press kit

Production notes, director’s statement, crew bios, technical specifications, stills with captions, and the poster.

Open the press kit One-sheet (PDF) Poster

Contact

Hyunsoo Moon, director
thatguymoon@gmail.com
978.290.0292

Screeners are available to press on request. The trailer is on the home page.

Stills

3840 × 2160. Credit line, required wherever a still is published: Photo by Hyunsoo Moon. © 2026 Anchor Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Parade of Nations at Storm Lake's Fourth of July celebration — The Parade of Nations at Storm Lake’s Fourth of July celebration.
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Anna and her daughter, Marnath, at a park — Anna and her daughter, Marnath, at a park.
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Jephthah translates for his Karen community — Jephthah translates for his Karen community.
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Ehler and her father, Lah Paw, at home — Ehler and her father, Lah Paw, at home.
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The Tyson meatpacking plant, Storm Lake, Iowa, in winter — The Tyson meatpacking plant, Storm Lake, Iowa, in winter.
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Children gather for Jephthah's son Gabriel's birthday party — Children gather for Jephthah’s son Gabriel’s birthday party.
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Ehler and her boyfriend, Lwe, at sunset — Ehler and her boyfriend, Lwe, at sunset.
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Sam and his wife, Ying, wash and pack the morning's harvest on their farm in Storm Lake — Sam and his wife, Ying, wash and pack the morning’s harvest on their farm in Storm Lake.
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Jephthah and his son, Gabriel, on the Lake Michigan shoreline, Milwaukee — Jephthah and his son, Gabriel, on the Lake Michigan shoreline, Milwaukee.
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Ehler holds her newborn baby sister — Ehler holds her newborn baby sister.
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Ehler at her high school graduation — Ehler at her high school graduation.
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Anna and her fiance, Ezekiel, reunite at the airport on his arrival from Ethiopia — Anna and her fiancé, Ezekiel, reunite at the airport on his arrival from Ethiopia.
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Technical specifications

Running time: 91 minutes
Language: English, Karen, Nuer, with English subtitles
Country: United States
Completed: 2026
Shot on: Sony FX3
Aspect ratio: 16:9 (1.78:1)
Sound: Stereo
Exhibition formats: DCP, ProRes

Every use of generative AI in the film is listed, with the reason, on its own page.