Razi Jafri & Justin Feltman, 2021, 89 minutes, USA

Once a city that was 90% Polish, Hamtramck became the first Muslim majority city in America. Now, this new wave of immigrants aim to gain representation in city hall.

Hamtramck, USA follows Kamal Rahman, a Bangladeshi candidate for Mayor, Fadel al-Marsoumi, a 23 year old Iraqi immigrant running for City Council, as well as the current mayor, Karen Majewski, Hamtramck’s first female mayor in the city’s 100 year lineage of Polish mayors. Throughout the election, candidates look to build support, coalitions, and partnerships across ethnic and religious lines. 

Weaved into the election season, the film showcases the vibrant life, celebrations, and culture of those who call this city home. At the end of the election, regardless of who ultimately wins, Hamtramck will need to come together, with a new identity or the remaining fragments of the past, to face the many challenges ahead.

A post-screening discussion with filmmakers Razi Jafri and Justin Feltman will take place after the #IntheCinema screening on Friday 2/4.