American Me is a 1992 American independent crime drama film produced and directed by Edward James Olmos and written by Floyd Mutrux and Desmond Nakano. The film is the first film Olmos ever directed. Olmos also stars as the film's protagonist, Montoya Santana, who is loosely based on Mexican Mafia boss Rodolfo Cadena. Executive producers included record producer Lou Adler, screenwriter Mutrux, and Irwin Young. The film is a fictionalized account of the founding and rise to power of the Mexican Mafia in the California prison system from the 1950s into the 1980s.