The Grand Illusion

The psychedelic carpets lining our hotel hallways, casinos, and convention centers can be traced to one town: Dalton, Georgia, the “Carpet Capital of the World.” In this bastion of American manufacturing we find an interwoven set of locals who are the unsung creators and developers behind the majority of the country’s carpets, always looking at the ground for their next big break.

Among them is Roderick James, a Scottish expat and freelance textile designer living his life as a modern-day cowboy with an ambitious slew of eclectic business ventures. Through Rod’s journey chasing after The American Dream and the experiences of his peers in Dalton, CARPET COWBOYS explores the tensions between personal and national identity, and the rapidly changing global economic model of the United States that too often leaves so many behind.

Executive produced by John Wilson of HBO’s How To with John Wilson, this unique documentary evokes questions like, Where does the myth of American identity begin and where does it end, and who ultimately gets to cash in?

“A truly fascinating look at the far reaching American myths and symbols and the fib that all that represents.” Bill Ross IV, co-director of Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets

“4/4 stars! A launching pad to chart the deconstruction of the American Dream.” Marya E. Gates, RogerEbert.com