This could be US

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In the plains of the Ardèche region, far from the endless landscapes of the American Far West, a community of enthusiasts has reinvented the myths of the Wild West. Rodeo riders, country music lovers, bikers, and breeders of horses and bulls—these French cowboys have shaped and glorified the image of an idealized America :

a paradise of freedom, conquest, and vast open spaces.

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Over two consecutive summers during the Equiblues festival in Saint-Agrève, Europe’s largest rodeo, Martin Lazlo Rouillé immersed himself in this universe and formed strong bonds with this unique community.

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Through this close connection, This could be US reveals an extended childhood dream, a means to re-enchant everyday life and escape the monotony of a dull modern world devoid of adventure.

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In this French-style Far West, the camera becomes a witness to lives both lived and imagined, inviting us to reflect on the collective identities we project and construct, as well as the roles we choose to take on.

 

But what is the flip side of this childhood dream?
A world we might have thought belonged to the past has suddenly been reawakened, carrying new contemporary issues and a fresh political charge. Why does the American dream dwell so deeply within our desires? These images speak of the enduring power of a myth that continues to shape perceptions far beyond its history and original borders. They reveal its magnetic pull in a contemporary world that questions itself and seeks direction.