Dreaming American

Synopsis

After escaping a dangerous country, a young man, Zef Noja, fights to keep his body, his dignity and his dream alive. Survival is the first order of business in New York City and when success comes within his grasp he finds himself up against an uncaring immigration bureaucracy. With a remarkable performance by Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, All the Usual Suspects) as the transvestite club-owner who finally takes Zef in and based on a true story, “Dreaming American” is a humorous, sad, and always compelling story of courage, living by one’s wits, and the struggle to make it in America.

Director Biography

Born 10 February 1953, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Studied acting under John Houseman at The Juilliard School, New York. Studied film at University of California. Currently resides in New York City. Member of ACE (American Cinema Editors). In his long career as an editor, he won the Emmy in 2010 for the HBO production of “Grey Gardens” and was nominated that same year for “Taking Chance”, which won the “Eddie” award, for editors by editors. He has edited performances that garnered Oscars for such actors as William Hurt in “Kiss of the Spider Woman”; Jeremy Irons in “Reversal of Fortune”; Hilary Swank for “Boys Don’t Cry” and nominated Catalina Sandina Moreno for “Maria Full of Grace”. His training as an actor and his experience with their work helped Percy draw authentic and nuanced performances from the cast of “Dreaming American”, whose involvement in film ranged from seasoned veterans to relative newcomers.