Movie Detropia Essay

Detropia Although prior to the film, the viewer may have heard of the situation in Detroit, it takes a film as poignant as Detropia to really get outsiders to empathize with its problems. Director Heidi Ewing uses contrasts to illustrate the variety of challenges Detroit faces but to also highlight those actively seeking out solutions. Through the interviews, camera angles, and audio Detropia shows the viewer that though the situation may look bleak, there is still life in the Motor City. The interviews are done in ways in settings where the interviewee is clearly comfortable. Often the interviewee is completing a task during the interview. For example, as Tommy Stephens and his female friend talk the female friend makes drinks at the bar.
At first the music seems in contrast to the city. The songs are rich and beautiful, unlike much of the dilapidated building and depressing imagery that often accompanies it. But, as the film progresses, the connections between the music and the city begin to show. The heightened drama of the operatic music connects to the heightened stakes that face the city. Opera is generally considered a dying art form, one whose heyday is past. This is not dissimilar to society’s perspective on Detroit. Through audio layering of city sounds and opera, Ewing literally overlays the narratives of opera and Detroit and sets the stage for their revival. This adds to the hope the filmmaker’s create within the viewer for Detroit’s revival. Through conducting intimate interviews, juxtaposing natural and urban imagery, and combing the sounds of the city with opera music, Ewing crafts a three dimensional portrait of Detroit. One that, although driving home a powerful message about the severity of Detroit’s problems, still manages to create a sense of hope in the viewer. The interviews, camera angles, and audio get the viewer to empathize with the citizens of the city and root for Detroit’s