Espen Rasmussen

The growth of US industry and the middle class – even the development of Detroit, “Motor City”, itself are all down to the work and ambition of the Ford family.

Once upon a time, Detroit put the world on wheels. Now, after the precipitous decline of the American motor industry, Detroit is once again getting people moving. Another Henry Ford (no relation) has started Detroit Bikes, a bicycle manufacturer, which he hopes will be a leader in the transport revolution that is sweeping across the city and America.

Hard.Land is a multimedia project – a journey through Blue Collar America to meet the people struggling to keep the American Dream alive: The middle class, the unemployed, the new poor, the workers on low or minimum wage – and those who have lost benefits and had their salaries slashed.

From Chicago to Detroit, Youngstown, Beckley, Williamsport and finally New York, reporter Roy Freddy Andersen and photographer Espen Rasmussen tell stories of people who are facing difficult times, and those who still have work, but often on minimum wages.

Project webpage: hard.land
Facebook: facebook.com/myhardland
Instagram: myhardland
Twitter: myhardland

---

If you are interested this film or have any questions please contact marina@panos.co.uk directly.