November 13th, 2013 
Justin Proper 
Film: Detroit Unleaded
Director: Rola Nashef
Writers: Jennifer Ginzinger, Heather Kolf, Rola Nashef
Starring: EJ Assi, Nada Shouhayib, Mike Batayeh
I love Detroit. Nothing stops the Motor City. Constant fires, corruption, and bankruptcy plague the once great American city but the people there keep on keeping on. Sure, most of the city is abandoned buildings and you can buy a house for less than the cost of a new Xbox but what is left of Motown is survivors and characters you cannot find anywhere else in the country. Detroit Unleaded is a story right out of Detroit and it captures the current state of the average resident of the city perfectly.
Detroit Unleaded may be a pretty straightforward film, but its setting and subject are far from bland. The plot is simple enough: a young Arab man (Sammy) has taken over his father’s gas station in Detroit with his cousin after his father was killed in a robbery. The two do everything they can to keep business while gas prices skyrocket and more competition moves in. In the meantime Sammy falls in love with another Arab girl and must decide what he wants to do with his life.
The most entertaining quality of Detroit Unleaded is hard to put your finger on. At a glance it is just another indie film but something about it keeps you hooked. It might be the great acting from all of the cast as each character is not only memorable but extremely realistic. It might be the seemingly quirky way that Arab families operate in regards to family and romance. Maybe it is the mix of drama with fun and lighthearted customer interaction. Either way there is something about this film that will grab hold of your attention for the ninety-minute runtime and keep you wanting more.
Perhaps the only real drawback to Detroit Unleaded is its predictability. There is nothing here that you have not seen before from indie movies. The only real difference here is that all of the cliche plot devices are seen through a different cultural perspective than you are used to. Nearly everyone knows how white people work, but how many people honestly have a good grasp of Arab families? There is a certain exotic quality to this difference in culture and Detroit Unleaded brings it to life without making you even realize it. The realness in the way the characters are portrayed is a refreshing change of pace from the usual mysteriousness associated with other ethnicities.
Detroit Unleaded has made it around the world and competed in many different film festivals over the last year. It has taken home plenty of awards and it is easy to see why. Much like the city of Detroit itself there is a tenacity and drive from the filmmakers that shines throughout the film. Great care was taken to make this exactly the movie it was intended to be and that movie is absolutely intriguing and delightful. If this film is any indication of the state of film in Detroit then you should expect some great films from the city in the future.
Score: A-
Review written by: Justin Proper
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