In 1930, not only was Detroit the fastest growing city in
America, but the world. Now, though, Detroit has a deficit of $150 billion
dollars. It has an official unemployment rate of 30%, although city leaders
believe the actual rate to be near 50%. The FBI lists it as the second most
dangerous city (its neighbour of Flint, Michigan is #1). Finally, the city has
witnessed an exodus of its inhabitants as there are reportedly over 100 000
vacant lots in Detroit. What happened during the past 82 years that put a city
that once embodied the American Dream into a state of poverty and decay? This
question is explored in the provocative new documentary Detropia from Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Oscar nominated
directors of Jesus Camp). Through
their artful, even-handed, and observational approach, Ewing and Grady allow
residents of Detroit to explore their once great city and make sense of what is
happening.
I saw Detropia when
it screened at Hot Docs in Toronto in May and I was quite compelled by the
urgency of the film’s story. In my review, I called Detropia “a powerful and compelling portrait of contemporary
America” and I wrote, “[I]t’s difficult to imagine that anyone could watch this
film and not feel the need for change.” Detropia
is a great film and one that needs to be seen.
Luckily, though, after screening at Sundance and Hot Docs, Detropia is getting a push from actor
Alec Baldwin. Detropia will screen on
July 21 by request from Baldwin at the Hamptons Summer Doc Series. The
screening will be followed by a discussion with Baldwin and the filmmakers. (Heidi
Ewing was on hand for a Q&A at Hot Docs and I found her post-screening
discussion very engaging and insightful.) As Baldwin said to Indiewire, “Often, documentary films
exploit archival footage to offer a perspective on social issues that are
important. And, occasionally, the same effect is achieved through inspired,
original filmmaking. Detropia is a compelling
profile of a great American city by two truly gifted directors in Heidi Ewing
and Rachel Grady.”
Tickets for the screenings are available for purchase at online or at the Guild Hall Box
Office.
If you're interested in Detropia but cannot make it to Hamptons, please see the film's website for future screenings.
We will keep you up
to date on Detropia and other
favourites throughout the year.
