That of the white ruling class and their attempt to balance being a nation of immigrants while not losing touch with the inherently American trait of fearing "the other". The film also focuses, though, on the challenges that immigrants face when coming up against the aforementioned great American paradox. This first section of the film documents what it is like for these new immigrants when they come to a new land, become indoctrinated into America's dumbed down materialistic corporate culture and then break free from this creating their own cultural niches- making their own way and doing their own thing in the land of oppourtunity.
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All of the immigrants interviewed throughout the film possess a sense of hope- though this hope manifests itself in various ways- whether it be ambition, oppourtunity, freedom of choice, a chance to escape oppression or even to live a life like their favourite American TV show.
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General Samoza- former Dictator of Nicaragua- who now passes his time watching Mexican Soaps while his children run a series of restaurants). Some are nobodies seeking to establish themselves and "become someone", while others were quite established in their homeland, but left to seek a new start or just to blend in (ie. These people have been lured to America for various reasons- coming from various ethnic and national backgrounds- from all over the world. Throughout the film Malle interviews a number of new immigrants and their families- all of whom make deeply intuitive observations and commentaries- discussing why they have come to America from their various places of origin. These immigrants are doctors, astronauts, restaurateurs, labourers and even work on top secret government programs.
How immigrants are an integral and important part of the country's prosperity- it is a "Nation of Immigrants", for God's sake (pun intended), lest we forget- yet still contains factions that both fear and resent the presence of new immigrants (particularly if you are latino, these days). It focuses on the rather paradoxical relationship that exists between immigrants and America(ns). In the film ".In The Pursuit of Happiness" renown director Louis Malle takes a look at life as an immigrant in America- from the perspective of an outsider.