Main Street USA

A New York-based TV station traverses the US in a bus equipped with large screens, stopping on the Main Streets of numerous unknown towns. After their arrival, the TV crew tries to elicit statements from the inhabitants about the war in Iraq and the economic situation in America. The formula is always identical: the mayor or some other well-known town resident gathers as many people as possible around the bus, where they are confronted with images of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, two years earlier. The reaction that follows: the war in Iraq may be no picnic, but more money should be invested in the American population itself. White, black, poor or wealthy; in the end, everybody has a similar opinion. What is more, the Main Streets appear to be exemplary of the average, distressing situation in all towns. Almost all Main Streets the bus drives through are desolate looking and full of boarded-up shops. Besides being a personal document about the opinions of average American citizens, MAIN STREET USA is at the same time a road movie about a travelling TV crew. Their car trouble, party and spontaneous racing action are also prominently incorporated, and that is exactly what the documentary aims for: showing the individuals behind the group.