Man in the Sand is a 1999 music documentary that chronicles the collaboration between Billy Bragg and Wilco, which involved the musicians creating new music to accompany lyrics that were written decades earlier by folk singer Woody Guthrie. The project, which was organized by Woody's daughter Nora, spawned three albums: Mermaid Avenue, released in 1998; Mermaid Avenue Vol. II, released in 2000, and Mermaid Avenue Vol. III, released in 2012.

A movie presumably intended to document Wilco's recording of what is supposed to be their "breakthrough" album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." However, the documentary quickly becomes a chronicle of a band in turmoil. Although the album is destined to later be declared a classic by critics, the band's record label rejects it and drops Wilco from the label--citing the album's lack of marketability. The problems are further complicated when band leader Jeff Tweedy fires another band member after the album is completed because of creative differences. However, the band is determined to move on and find a new record label that will accept the album and respect their need for creative freedom.