From the very beginning, the U.S. have been a country of many contradictions and contrasts. In 2026, the country is celebrating 250 years of independence. People of all walks of life sporting T-shirts emblazoned with "250 years of Freedom" abound. It is a freedom which, even in the land of seemingly endless opportunities, is hard-won by many who feel that the promise is working for them. And in times of turmoil in which we are living globally today, significant numbers in U.S society feel that the famous phrase from the declaration of independence promising life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to be inalienable rights for all does not ring so true. And anyway, the question of who is entitled to share in this promise has been a matter of debate ever since the U.S. were incepted. The films in our collection marking the 250th anniversary of US independence explore the fascinating diversity of the USA, which is inseparable from stark contradictions. Some highlight the long shadow cast by slavery and racial segregation; others tell the stories of fortune-seekers and defenders of freedom. They talk of courage and resilience, and, of course, of the myth of the American Dream.