“Detropia” is an eye-opening documentary that shows the deconstruction of Detroit, one of America’s fastest growing cities, in a downward economic spiral.
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady beautifully portrays a post-industrial America by focusing on Detroit, once a thriving city with plentiful jobs that is now facing unemployment, pay cuts, and corruption. The film focused more on life in the 21st century Detroit and not the history of Detroit. Detroit is downsizing and the number of abandoned buildings and destruction of empty homes increases. As the city devise schemes to revamp Detroit, the population and worth of Detroit will keep decreasing.
“This is not a depression,” says Tommy Stevens, “it’s more of a recession.”
Throughout the film, the director gives a tour through various Detroiters lives as they share their thoughts on the troubles and obstacles they must go through to survive. Union leader George McGregor shared the times of the “once was” Detroit and today Detroit where he now deals with the potential loss of another plant and pay cuts. Video blogger Crystal Starr explore abandon buildings and speak of “what used to be” and “what could become”. Raven Lounge owner Tommy Stevens explains the financial issue, not only for himself but for Detroit. Each of these Detroiters described of the “once was” Detroit and the Detroit that could be.
“Detropia” is a wake up call to America. It is the haunting reality of how the economy is like in the 21st century. These are real people going through real hardship living in today’s world. It is not only an eye-opener but a memorable documentary too. One may never see the world the same again because “Detropia” shows that the discussion of a recession is not just talk. It is real, and it is coming. If it can happen to one of America’s possibilities, it can happen to any state.
4 responses so far ↓
Vivian // Oct 9th 2012 at 8:01 pm
Detropia sounds like a revealing film. I enjoy to watch a good documentary and this seems like one I wouldn’t change the channel on. I like how you describe the documentary as being a “haunting reality” that adjective really closes off on the tone you were trying to give your blog post. Is there any other documentaries you would compare this to?
yl146984 // Oct 10th 2012 at 10:02 am
Other documentaries to compare “Detropia” to?
Honestly, I have only watched two other documentaries in my entire life, and that was only because they were required for Health and Biology. For health class, I watched “SuperSize Me”. For my biology class, I watched “Nova Miracle of Life”. But if I were to compare the two films with “Detriopia”, I would say that all three films had a mission and a vision to achieve.
But after watching “Detropia” and realizing how documentaries can be so powerful, I will definitely include more documentaries to watch in my library now. To have the power to make the audience see and know that that is a possibility for you. That this is not a movie with a fictionarl story and fictional characters. These are real people with true stories on what happened to them, which means it may happen to me as well.
Juliya Madorskaya // Oct 11th 2012 at 1:34 pm
I felt that you made an important distinction between Detropia and Michael Moore’s Roger and Me- it’s more about now than what came before.
side note:
what does this mean: If it can happen to one of America’s possibilities, it can happen to any state?
yl146984 // Oct 11th 2012 at 2:41 pm
According to the film, Detroit was one of America’s fastest-growing cities. People would migrate to Detroit for jobs and to have a better life. They would come see the latest cars in the automobile shows. They would come see music legends perform. Unfortunately, recession hit Detroit and they’re struggling to survive.
When I called Detroit one of America’s possibilities, I meant the promises and hopes that Detroit had. A city where it would be busy and lively. A city where people could follow their dreams, and build a better life. A city where people can achieve the American Dream.
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