IFFY Feature - Hamtramck, USA

76 North Huron Street,Ypsilanti MI 48197

02 June, 2022

Description

HAMTRAMCK, USA is a documentary exploring life and democracy in America's first Muslim-majority city. IFFY—independent Film Festival Ypsilanti—is back for its third season June 2nd through June 4th in downtown Ypsilanti at the Riverside Arts Center. Hamtramck, Michigan was established by German immigrants and thrived in the 20th century with an influx of Polish Catholic arrivees drawn to the industrial boom of America. In recent years, Bangladeshi and Yemeni Muslim immigrants have revitalized Hamtramck, making it the first Muslim-majority city in the United States. The city prides itself on this diversity. However, as the election season begins, Hamtramck splits into factions, as each community jockey for representation in city hall. The film follows Fadel al-Marsoumi, a young Iraqi immigrant and first-time candidate for city council, and Karen Majewski, Hamtramck’s first female mayor in the city’s 100-year lineage of Polish mayors. As election day approaches, candidates face various challenges and opportunities within the city’s numerous communities and work to build coalitions across religious and ethnic lines. Q&A with filmmakers Razi Jafri and Justin Feltman shortly after screening. Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti (iFFY) is an annual event that draws diverse audiences and filmmakers for mind-expanding, independently-made movies in downtown Ypsilanti, MI. IFFY strives to contribute to the cultural and filmmaking communities of Southeastern Michigan. www.iffypsi.com