American Dirt, the controversial novel by Jeanine Cummins, has sparked intense debate since its publication in 2020. The book tells the story of a Mexican woman and her son who flee to the United States after a drug cartel kills most of their family. Some have praised American Dirt for its propulsive narrative, while others have criticized Cummins, who is not Mexican, for cultural appropriation. Despite the controversy, American Dirt became a commercial success. This begs the question: will American Dirt be adapted into a movie?
The Book
American Dirt was published on January 21, 2020 by Flatiron Books. The publisher paid Cummins a seven-figure advance for the book, which was prominently featured by Oprah Winfrey. The novel appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for weeks. Many critics praised American Dirt for its fast-paced storytelling, with some calling it the “international story of our times.” However, the book also received significant backlash, particularly from Latinx writers and activists. They argued that Cummins, who is white and Latina (her grandmother was Puerto Rican), should not have been given such a large platform to tell a story about the migrant experience. The authenticity of Cummins’ portrayal of Mexico and immigration was also questioned.
The Controversy
Much of the debate centered around cultural appropriation – the adoption of an ethnic minority’s cultural elements by members of the dominant culture. When American Dirt was first published, an early version of the book included barbed wire and blood splatter on the cover. Many found this to be exploitative of migrants’ suffering. The controversy led to Flatiron Books canceling Cummins’ book tour over safety concerns.
Beyond the cover art, critics took issue with Cummins profiting from the story of migrants while having no ties to that experience herself. Myriam Gurba, whose work focuses on life as a queer, mixed-race Chicana, wrote one of the first scathing critiques, calling American Dirt “trauma porn that wears a social justice fig leaf.”
The Defense
Cummins and her supporters defended the book, arguing fiction writers should have creative freedom. In the author’s note for American Dirt, Cummins wrote that she wished “someone slightly browner than me would write it.” Since no one had, she felt compelled to share this story. Others noted American Dirt sparked important discussions about immigration and the treatment of migrants. The book, though imperfect, could bring awareness to these issues.
Will American Dirt Become a Movie?
Despite the controversy, American Dirt caught the eye of numerous production companies. In February 2020, it was announced that Imperative Entertainment had acquired the rights to adapt American Dirt into a movie. So it seems likely the big-screen version will eventually materialize.
The Deal
Imperative Entertainment was launched in 2014 by producer Jeremy Steckler. The company focuses on developing material with social relevance. Some of Imperative’s films include Clint Eastwood’s The Mule and Disney’s Queen of Katwe.
Imperative reportedly paid seven figures for the American Dirt movie rights. The deal was brokered just weeks after the novel’s publication. Jeanine Cummins was set to executive produce the adaptation.
At the time, Steckler stated, “Cummins has written a rare tour de force that grabs you on page one and never lets go, eliciting powerful empathy for the migrants who risk everything for a better life.”
The Filmmakers
In April 2021, it was reported that director Alejandro G. Iñárritu was in talks to helm the American Dirt movie. Iñárritu is known for films like Birdman, The Revenant, and Babel that grapple with issues of identity and humanity. He would certainly bring an auteur sensibility to the American Dirt adaptation.
No other talent attachments have been announced yet. The screenplay is expected to be adapted from the novel, rather than originating as an entirely new script.
Potential Release Date
As of October 2023, the American Dirt movie does not have an official release date. Principal photography has likely not started yet.
Given the typical timeline for productions of this scale, the soonest we could expect to see the American Dirt adaptation is late 2024 or 2025. However, delays are common in the film industry, so the movie could premiere even later.
What Will the Movie Be About?
The American Dirt movie will tell the same story as Jeanine Cummins’ novel. Here is a full synopsis of the book’s plot:
Lydia Quixano Pérez runs a bookstore in Acapulco, Mexico with her journalist husband Sebastián. They live a comfortable upper-middle class lifestyle until a local drug cartel leader, Javier, starts visiting her store.
On one tragic day, while Lydia is hosting a birthday party for her mother, cartel members come and murder Sebastián and most of her family. They have been ordered to spare Lydia, who Javier has become obsessed with.
Lydia knows she and her 8-year-old son Luca are now targets. They flee Acapulco and begin the dangerous journey to the United States border. Lydia and Luca experience hardship and cruelty as migrants. But they also meet kind people along the way who help them.
Interwoven with Lydia and Luca’s story are the perspectives of others impacting their journey. These include Javier, an aspiring priest named Padre Bill, and two sisters named Soledad and Rebeca who are youth migrants traveling alone.
The harrowing trip spans several months and over 1,000 miles. Lydia and Luca make it across the border and must rebuild their lives. But in the end Javier tracks them down, determined to take Lydia for himself.
Key Elements
Here are some of the key elements that will likely appear in the American Dirt movie:
– Lydia’s comfortable life in Acapulco before tragedy strikes
– Javier’s dangerous obsession with Lydia
– Lydia and Luca fleeing Acapulco and traveling through Mexico by train, on foot, etc.
– The risks, violence, and trauma faced by migrants
– Acts of compassion from strangers that help Lydia and Luca
– Multiple perspectives beyond just Lydia’s point of view
– Lydia and Luca’s culture shock upon reaching the United States
– Javier tracking Lydia down in the end and their final confrontation
Possible Changes
The film adaptation will not be exactly the same as the novel. Here are some possible changes that may occur:
– Streamlining the timeline – A book can cover months or years of story, while movies tend to focus on a tighter timeframe. The journey across Mexico could be shortened.
– Combining characters – Minor characters could be amalgamated or removed to simplify the story.
– Altering perspectives – The book shifts between different viewpoints. The movie may stick with Lydia and Luca’s perspective.
– Focusing the location – The journey spans over 1,000 miles in the book. The film may narrow the geographic scope.
– Changing the ending – The conclusion may be tweaked to create different stakes or resolution for the characters.
– Adding action scenes – Movies often augment drama with set pieces like chase scenes. More peril may be added.
– Adjusting problematic elements – The filmmakers may modify parts of the book considered insensitive, like the early cover art.
Who’s Involved?
As mentioned above, here are the key parties currently tied to the American Dirt movie adaptation:
– Imperative Entertainment – Film production company that acquired the novel’s movie rights
– Alejandro G. Iñárritu – Acclaimed director reportedly attached to helm the adaptation
– Jeanine Cummins – Author of the novel who is set to executive produce the movie
No cast members or other crew such as the cinematographer, production designer, etc. have been announced yet.
Given the themes and characters, Latino creatives will likely/hopefully be involved. But so far, the major players are not Latino.
Production Challenges
If American Dirt moves forward as a film, the production could face some challenges:
– Ongoing controversy – The debate around cultural appropriation hasn’t died down and could flare up again.
– Possible boycotts – Some may protest a movie version of what they see as an exploitative story.
– Need for authenticity – There will be pressure to ensure Latinx voices shape the project behind and in front of the camera.
– Tricky subject matter – Director and crew must carefully handle the topic of migrants’ struggles.
– Difficult shoot – If filmed on location, the long journey will be complex to capture.
How Successful Could the Movie Be?
The American Dirt novel sold over 1 million copies, indicating a ready-made audience for the movie. The dramatic plot is cinematic and could translate well to film. With a renowned director like Iñárritu and a major studio, the adaptation has blockbuster potential.
However, there are also factors that could limit its success:
– Ongoing backlash – Some readers boycotted the book and will boycott the film.
– Marketing challenges – Promoting the movie will require navigating the sensitivities around its origins.
– Similar films – There are other acclaimed movies about immigration like Sin Nombre.
– Unknown cast – Lack of big-name stars could restrict appeal.
Box Office Projections
Here are some possible domestic box office projections for the American Dirt movie:
Scenario | Box Office Estimate |
---|---|
Low Performance | $25-50 million |
Moderate Success | $50-100 million |
Breakout Hit | $100-200+ million |
For comparison, the 2022 movie Bardo grossed $3.5 million domestically. Iñárritu’s highest grossing film, The Revenant, made $183 million in the U.S. So American Dirt could land anywhere on that spectrum.
Awards Potential
Alejandro G. Iñárritu is arguably the most acclaimed director attached to the project. His previous films racked up awards:
Film | Major Awards |
---|---|
Amores Perros | Academy Award Nominee – Best Foreign Language Film |
21 Grams | Academy Award Nominee – Best Actress |
Babel | 7 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture |
Birdman | 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director |
The Revenant | 3 Academy Awards including Best Director |
Based on Iñárritu’s reputation, American Dirt would likely garner awards season buzz. But reviews and reception could make or break its actual nominations and wins. Given the polarizing nature of the source material, the film’s awards hopes are uncertain.
When Will We Get More News?
Updates on the American Dirt movie have been quiet since Alejandro G. Iñárritu was linked to the adaptation in 2021. But the project does still appear to be in development.
Fans eager for news should watch for any of these developments, which could indicate the film is progressing:
Casting Announcements
Once the script is finished, casting directors will begin seeking actors to play key roles like Lydia and Luca. Big names attached to the cast could generate fresh buzz.
New Crew Members
As pre-production ramps up, other high-level creative roles like cinematographer, production designer, etc. will be filled. This suggests the film is assembling its behind-the-scenes team.
Location Scouting
Scouts will visit and secure filming locations once there is a target start date. Reports of scouts researching Mexico settings would be a tip-off.
Social Media Activity
Iñárritu and any other talent joining social media could signal they plan to promote the movie soon. Activity from the studio and producers is also worth watching.
Barring any major delays, exciting American Dirt movie updates could emerge in 2023 or 2024. With the novel’s built-in appeal, this adaptation has blockbuster potential if handled sensitively. Despite past controversy, there will likely be intense interest whenever the film starts taking shape. This moral complexity epitomizes the story’s draw — and the debate over who has the right to tell it.