In1980sRomania,DallasisthebiggestshowonTV.Actually,it'stheonlyshow,besidesstate-controllednewsandNorthKoreansoapoperas.TheauthoritiespresentthesagaofaTexasoilfamilyasacautionarytaleabouttheevilsofcapitalism.Dallasenthrallsthecountry—includingIlieandhisdaughterLivia.Heisasmall-timecriminalandaspiringcapitalistshepinesfortheshow'sleadingman,PatrickDuffy.Aftercommunismfalls,IliebuildstheHotelDallas,alife-sizecopyoftheTVshow'smansion.LiviaimmigratestoAmericaandbecomesafilmmaker.HerfirstmoviestarsPatrickDuffy,asamanwhodiesinTexasandwakesupinRomania,inahotelthatlooksjustlikehome.