Ask the Dust is a romantic drama film set in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. It follows the story of Arturo Bandini, an ambitious young writer from a poor Italian family who dreams of becoming a successful author. He meets Camilla Lopez, a beautiful Mexican waitress who also has big aspirations of marrying a wealthy American and leaving behind her current life.
As Arturo tries to make a name for himself in the literary world, he becomes infatuated with Camilla, but their different backgrounds and goals make a relationship between them complicated. Camilla is often at odds with her heritage and feels stuck in her current situation, which drives her to pursue a relationship with a wealthy man who can offer her a better life.
Meanwhile, Arturo faces rejection and struggles to get his writing published, leading him to seek comfort and inspiration in his love for Camilla. As their relationship deepens, they both realize that they are using each other to escape their respective issues.
The film explores themes of love, identity, and the American Dream, as well as the intersection of race and class in 1930s Los Angeles. Directed by Robert Towne, the film stars Colin Farrell as Arturo and Salma Hayek as Camilla, and features a notable supporting performance by Donald Sutherland as Arturo's eccentric neighbor.