Detroit Unleaded - defining a new genre

by Kendra Ray photography by Bianca Mam mimoviemaker mo

The Arab American community, filmmaking, and Detroit are often viewed as economic or political subjects for debate. To offset these ubiquitous presentations, Detroit Unleaded captures these topics through a new lens, and is sparking the interest of audiences worldwide.

“There’s no other film that depicts the everyday life of Detroit’s Arab American Community,” says writer/director/producer Rola Nashef. “Historically there’s been lots of Arab filmmakers in the Middle-East, but Arab American themed films is an emerging genre”.

Born in Lebanon and raised in Michigan, Nashef was prompted to explore filmmaking ten years ago while working with ACCESS (the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services). “It started off there when I was doing cultural arts programming. I just felt there was a better way for me, creatively, to express and share culture. I discovered this film school [Motion Picture Institute of Michigan] and as soon as I went... everything clicked and I’ve been making films since.”

In 2007, Nashef released Detroit Unleaded, a short film that has grown into a feature length project of the same name. It has been recognized in 26 film festivals, winning awards such as “Best Short Film” at the Flint Film Festival and the Trinity Film Festival, and “Best Performance” by lead actor Lamar Babi at the New Haven Underground Film Festival in Connecticut.

“It [Detroit Unleaded] started going everywhere. I began to see the audience reaction... it had this ability to transcend boundaries [and] connect with diverse audiences,” Nashef explains. “That’s when I decided to move forward and develop it into a feature film. The second draft of the script was accepted into the Sundance Institute Screenwriter’s Lab in collaboration with the Royal Jordanian Film Commission.”

The comedic drama examines how themes such as race, love, and bullet-proof glass affect the diverse lives within an Arab owned gas station on Detroit’s East Side. “It’s [Detroit Unleaded not directly addressing any issues,” says Shaher Batroukh, instructor and filmmaker. “You’re just watching a day in the life.”

“The opportunity is to show our ethnic makeup here... it doesn’t have to be about politics or religion,” states Milan Stevanovich, Director of Marketing for Dean River Productions. “Most people don’t realize the nuances and the culture, and all the cool [stuff] here. Detroit Unleaded is going to showcase these.”

With casting underway, Nashef’s production company, Gas Afterhours LLC, will be seeking 50-100 individuals to portray the film’s unique characters. Additionally, the film is anticipated to employ a minimum of 50 people during its production. “I’m looking forward to working with artists from all over Michigan,” says Nashef. “We are in search of Arab-American Actors for the principle roles and a multi-ethnic cast for supporting roles and extras. For more information, check out our website www.detroitunleaded. com or send your headshot and resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .”

Following it’s namesake, the feature length version of Detroit Unleaded will be shot on location early this summer, and will keep post-production in state. “We have everything here,” Nashef states. “There’s no reason, anymore, to go outside of Michigan; especially with the incentive.” Stevanovich supports this statement by stressing the value of state-based intellectual properties. “It’s important for us to keep the IP here; that’s how we’re going to grow this industry.”

Detroit Unleaded will be the first feature film for most of the production crew, including the director of photography, Keir Yee. As a 26-year veteran of the commercial industry, Yee’s work includes internationally recognized advertisements for Pontiac. “[It’s] a very reflective element,” stated Batroukh. “...the industry that was hot for shooting the [auto] commercials... transitioning that into movies.”

This local example, like many others, describes how the film industry has affected Michigan communities. “It’s great; very inspiring,” says Nashef with a smile. “The energy is different. We [filmmakers] use to be a small group of people. Now I go to restaurants and hear people talking about their scripts!”

“She’s [Nashef] pretty enthusiastic for Detroit in general,” Batroukh says. “I moved here from Los Angeles and I’ve never seen so much pride in a city as Detroiters [have]. The tattoos all over... they talk about their rappers, the music, and the movies that were shot here with such energy; it’s fascinating.” detroit-unleded

As a way to convey the Motor City mentality the feature has the potential to spark more than just a film. “By creating another great brand for the city,” Stevanovich explains, “...multiple ancillary products, services, verticals, and industries; we can take this to grow the Detroit culture internationally.” “It’s gonna be advertising in itself,” says Batroukh. “Especially with the name Detroit Unleaded; you automatically know where that’s located.”

As with the 20-minute original short, the feature has the ability to shed new light on an often misunderstood community. “Here’s a local story that Arabs worldwide maybe don’t know about,” Stevanovich says. “It could help reach out and create these new perceptions of what life in Detroit is.” “I don’t think America at large really knows how big the population of Arab Americans is here in Detroit,” Batroukh continues, “And ya know... there’s no terrorists.”

Nashef laughs, paralleling the casual approach used by Detroit Unleaded to broaden awareness of an evolving culture and community. “As a filmmaker, if I can get someone in the audience to identify with an Arab character and feel what they’re feeling... then that’s translating culture right there. Film is the most powerful medium in the whole world and the most powerful way we can create understanding and relationships with one another.”