Watch America's Parking Lot

America's Parking Lot is a 2012 documentary film directed by Jonny Mars. The film focuses on the die-hard fans of the Dallas Cowboys football team who gather at the Texas Stadium's main parking lot on game days. The film follows several individuals who spend their Sundays tailgating in the parking lot, including Ken Belson, a reporter for The New York Times, and Chris Berman, a legendary ESPN sportscaster. The film also features interviews with Cy Ditmore, a longtime Cowboys fan and the founder of the Texas Stadium's main tailgating group, the Gate 6 Tailgate Crew.

The documentary provides a glimpse into the lives of these fans, who view the parking lot as a home away from home. For them, the parking lot is not just a place to park their cars, but it's a place where they can express their passion for the Cowboys and connect with like-minded individuals who share the same love for the sport.

In addition to exploring the culture of the tailgating community, the film also contextualizes the Cowboys fandom within the larger context of American sports culture. The documentary examines how the Cowboys have become an iconic brand that represents the American ideal of rugged individualism and the spirit of the Wild West. The film also delves into the historical significance of the team, highlighting its legacy as one of the preeminent franchises in professional sports.

One of the most fascinating aspects of America's Parking Lot is how it depicts the relationship between the fans and the team. The film reveals how the fans' love for the Cowboys extends beyond the players and the coaches. For them, the team represents an identity and a sense of pride that transcends wins and losses. The parking lot, therefore, becomes a site of communal identity formation, where fans come together to celebrate the team and the shared values it represents.

The film captures the tailgating rituals, from cooking and eating BBQ to playing games and cheering on the team. However, it also shows how the community is not just about the party. The documentary highlights the importance of giving back to the community, as seen in the tailgaters' charity work, including food and toy drives.

America's Parking Lot is not just a film about football or the Cowboys. It's a film about community, identity, and the American spirit. It shows how sports fandom can become a way of life, a cultural touchstone that runs deep into the fabric of American society. The documentary expertly captures how this community engenders a sense of belonging and how it can serve as a counterpoint to the individualism and fragmentation that characterizes modern society.

In summary, America's Parking Lot is a must-watch for all football fans, but it's also a great film for anyone interested in sports culture, community building, and identity formation. It's a film that affirms the power of communal identity and the importance of coming together to celebrate the things that we love.

America's Parking Lot is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.