Hamtramck, Michigan, is a city of approximately 28,000 residents, located within the boundaries of Detroit. Historically, Hamtramck was home to an abundance of Polish Americans, but currently is the first major U.S. city with a 40% Muslim population. This documentary focuses on the diversity of Hamtramck by tracking a 2017 city mayoral and city council election.
Karen Majewski, who has served since 2006 and says she may be the last in a 100-year line of Polish American leaders, is seeking reelection against two Muslim opponents. Mohammed Hassan (who declined to be filmed or interviewed for this production) comes in second in the primary to face off with Majewski on November 7.
Without any voice-over commentary and other clarifying information such as maps that identify the location of Hamtramck for those unfamiliar with Detroit (Majewski is seen wearing a tee-shirt that says “Not Actually Detroit”) and identifying captions for events or locations, the film lets viewers savor the sights and sounds of the city. The campaigns move along at a brisk pace and show candidates canvassing door to door, speaking at rallies, attending city carnivals and other events, meeting inside local establishments, and engaging with friends and locals.
The documentary says there is a divide between Bengali Muslims and Yemen Muslims, but we aren’t given any more information than that nor does the film delve into the ways Muslims and Christians work together or struggle to accept cultural differences. One point of contention is that some non-Muslim residents oppose neighborhood mosques loudly broadcasting the call to prayer.
The film concludes with a swearing-in ceremony of the elected candidates, including the incumbent mayor and three city council members, including personable first-time political candidate Fadel al-Marsoumi, an Iraqi immigrant. The documentary holds local appeal and can be considered a viable selection for urban studies college classrooms and anyone interested in seeing how one community is banding together to achieve unity and cultural balance. A strong optional purchase.
Discover more titles for your film collection in our list of political movies.