My American Boy: The Story of Cubs and Cougars
“My American Boy” is a documentary that examines the evolving landscape of modern relationships through the lens of cougar and cub relationships, focusing on older women dating younger men and the cultural conversation surrounding age-gap dating. Produced by AQBanz Productions, the project is led by filmmakers Jeffrey Serpa and Susie Merwin, who aim to explore how love, attraction, and social perception intersect in relationships that challenge traditional gender dating norms.
Set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009, the documentary positions itself within a growing wave of storytelling that focuses on modern dating dynamics and relationship stigma. Rather than treating cougar dating culture as a novelty, the film presents it as a legitimate social phenomenon shaped by changing attitudes toward romance, independence, and emotional compatibility.
At its core, “My American Boy” highlights cub relationships explained through direct interviews with participants—four older women and four younger men—who openly share their experiences with taboo relationships and the realities of being in the public eye or social judgment. These conversations explore not only attraction, but also communication, power balance, emotional needs, and how age difference in love influences relationship identity.
The project also reflects broader cultural questions about romantic relationships analysis in a society where dating norms are constantly shifting. While older man–younger woman pairings have long been socially accepted, cougar and cub relationships often face greater scrutiny, revealing inconsistencies in how society interprets gender and age in romantic contexts.
To deepen the conversation, Serpa and Merwin hosted a live Scottsdale Arizona events showcase in October 2008 at the Black Card venue. The event used a talk-show-style format where participants discussed their relationships openly with both the filmmakers and the audience. This interactive approach became a defining feature of the documentary’s storytelling style, reinforcing its commitment to authenticity and real-world dialogue.
The success of the live event helped shape the film’s direction, emphasizing unfiltered conversations over scripted narratives. It also highlighted how relationship interview documentary formats can bring nuance to subjects often simplified by media stereotypes.
Interestingly, the filmmakers themselves became part of the story. Their collaboration on AQBanz Productions evolved from a professional partnership into a deeper personal connection, reflecting the very themes of modern dating dynamics they were exploring on screen. Their shared creative vision helped drive the project forward, blending production experience with lived insight into relationship complexity.
“My American Boy” ultimately positions itself as more than just a documentary about cougar and cub relationships. It is a broader reflection on dating culture society, questioning why certain relationships are normalized while others are judged, and how those perceptions shape the way people experience love.
By bringing together real voices, candid storytelling, and public discussion, the film encourages viewers to reconsider assumptions about age gap dating, emotional compatibility, and the evolving definitions of modern romance.
