Land of Plenty 2005

As the camera sweeps across the landscape of post-9/11 America, we meet Lana, an American girl whose worldview has been profoundly influenced by her upbringing alongside her missionary parents in Africa and the Middle East. Recently back from an extended stay in the West Bank, she finds herself in Los Angeles, now committed to aiding a local homeless mission.

In this new environment, Lana seeks to reconnect with her last remaining family member in the United States—her uncle, Paul. A Vietnam veteran, Paul is burdened by the haunting memories of his past. His daily life is marked by a compulsive need to surveil and document Arabs or those who resemble them, driven by a fear that they may be conspiring against America.

In sharp contrast to her uncle, Lana emerges from her foreign experiences with a deep awareness of the tragic repercussions of war. She holds a belief that often diverges from mainstream perspectives—an empathy for the struggles faced by those in the Third World, which allows her to draw stark connections between the impoverished regions she has witnessed overseas and the inner-city hardships of Los Angeles.

The narrative takes a significant turn with the murder of a young Pakistani man just outside the mission, which compels both Lana and Paul to undertake the difficult task of returning his lifeless body to his grieving family. This poignant journey is not only a physical road trip but also a profound emotional expedition, providing both Paul and Lana with a unique opportunity to understand each other’s struggles more deeply. Ultimately, this journey intertwines their lives, challenging their perspectives and prompting them to face the complexities of their shared experiences.