SYNOPSIS

Originally the birthplace of the middle class, Detroit is now on the brink of complete collapse. Losing over 25% of it’s population and 50% of its manufacturing jobs over the past decade, Detroit is now in a state of emergency. Racial tension, globalization, lack of innovation, and corporate greed has led to a moment of truth for Detroit.

DETROPIA is a cinematic tapestry featuring the lives of several citizens trying to survive the D and make sense of what is happening to their city.

CRYSTAL STARR

The activist, video blogger, and poet

A video blogger and aspiring poet, Crystal is the barista at Café 1515 where she holds a new monthly salon called Culturenomics. She and her family are from Southwest Detroit.

DETROIT’S POPULATION SHRANK BY MORE THAN 25% IN THE LAST FEW DECADES, FALLING FROM OVER 1.85 MILLION IN 1950 TO 632,464 IN 2021.

Source: The U.S. Census Bureau

TOMMY STEPHENS

The Entrepreneur and Former Educator

Retired school teacher and owner of the Raven Lounge, Stephens has lived in Detroit for over 40 years. Open just two nights a week, the Raven Lounge is in the shadow of the Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant.

GEORGE MCGREGOR

The Union Leader of Local 22

George first came to Detroit in 1967 during the riots as part of the Army unit dispatched to restore calm to the city. After his service ended a year later, he began working up the ranks of the UAW eventually becoming the President of Local 22.

STEVE & DOROTA COY

The Visual and Performance Artists

Steve and Dorota Coy are visual and performance artists who have lived in Detroit for many years. Together they make up The Hygienic Dress League, an art project meant to send up capitalism and corporate America.