In the United States, there are about 3 million truckers. They are one of the pillars of the economy, as 70% of all American products are transported by road. Day after day, they cross the country in their massive trucks-true steel monsters that can carry loads of up to sixty tons.
Truckers have their own rituals and traditions. They take great care of every detail of their trucks and personalize them to their liking, making each truck a unique creation. These road warriors are the embodiment of the American Dream. Their lives move between the freedom of the journey and the most remote landscapes of the country. But the job is physically demanding, and they spend long periods away from their families; depression and divorce are very common in this sector. They also have to deal with increasingly stringent state regulations.
In recent years, the profession has been facing a staffing crisis. From now until 2030, one million more drivers will need to be recruited to meet the existing supply demands in the United States. This shortage of truckers has led to new profiles joining the profession. The number of women has increased dramatically, now representing more than 10% of American truckers. A great example is Lydia, 28 years old and mother of two. She has many followers on social media where she shares her life as a trucker and her struggle to survive in this difficult and often sexist profession while trying to balance work and family life.
We will also meet veteran truckers. Men like Gary Jones, who specializes in oversized convoys and has to plan and anticipate potential dangers on the road every day. Or Tony Justice, who is both a trucker and a country singer. Tony has become the spokesperson for a community that, despite everything, remains very alive and is more devoted to its traditions than ever.
This film was first released in 2021.
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1 май 2024
