The American Egypt (2001)

Jesse Lerner's film *The American Egypt* (2001) explores the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, highlighting its history of liberalism and a brief period with one of the world’s first socialist governments in the early 20th century. Using archival images and documents, Lerner connects the region's economic development – initially built on a system resembling slavery for henequen fiber production for the U.S. – to broader political events in Latin America influenced by North American economic interests.