Detroit Documentary Film - (Gotta Keep Dreamin : Detroit's 21st Century Renaissance) - "American Dream : DETROIT"

Michael and Christina Kline, Michael's Manager, have been working together, over the last three years at least, in the making of a documentary film on the revival of the City of Detroit, Michigan, USA.  In this thread hope to share some of the steps along the way as well as details on the film's Premiere which will take place at the Fox Theatre, Detroit on 2nd October, 2015.    

Michael announced, a few days ago, that a new website has been set up to share information about the film and it can be found at GottaKeepDreamin.com   There has also been a FB page created and it can be found at https://www.facebook.com/gottakeepdreamin?fref=ts  along with a Twitter account which is at @gkdreamin and also an Instagram account at gotta_keep_dreamin  Here is Michael's tweet where he made announcement:

 Sep 20

excited to share our website for the documentary film about Detroit!! Follow !!

Here is the profile/avatar pic that is used on the FB page:

and the cover photo which is used on FB, Twitter and website

There is an album in the Gallery containing photos that have been posted to the FB and Twitter account and here is link to album   http://www.michaelbolton.com/photo/albums/michael-s-detroit-documen...  and it, of course, will be kept up-to-date as new photos are added to the various sites.

2018 up-date

"American Dream : DETROIT" to be screened in over 450 cinemas in USA on 15th May.

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Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on May 16, 2018 at 11:32pm

Thanks for link Gail and it sure is a wonderful review and oh to have been a member in that audience ... a night to remember indeed !!! 

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by sylvie boisvert on May 17, 2018 at 3:41pm

Thanks so much for this great article Gail. I'm so proud and so happy for Michael it was so well received! Thanks again sweetie, take care. Hugs, sincerely, Sylvie Qc Canada :D

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on May 16, 2018 at 11:37pm

A few more pics of Michael on stage making his presentation last night in Detroit and they come courtesy of WDIV Daunt

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on May 17, 2018 at 11:21am

Super article on screening of film from Hour Detroit magazine ...

   https://twitter.com/Hour_Detroit/status/996854047935102977

and here is transcript ....

On Tuesday, May 15, UA Commerce Township Stadium 14 in Walled Lake — in partnership with 450 other cinemas across the country — staged an exclusive, one-night showing of the documentary “American Dream: Detroit.” The film was co-directed by singer-songwriter, Michael Bolton and his manager, Christina Kline, and was brought to audiences across the country by event cinema distributor, Fathom Events, and Bolton’s media company, Passion Films.

“We looked for theaters that have performed well for our past music and documentary events and also focused heavily in the Detroit area,” Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events wrote in an email to Hour Detroit. “That said, we pitch the event to our founding members (AMC, Regal and Cinemark), and they ultimately choose which theaters take the content.”

Over the course of 90 minutes, Bolton presented a “love letter to the city of Detroit.” His goal was to honor Detroit through an analysis of its glorious past, evolving present, promising future, and importance on the national scale.

“The protagonist of this story is a city,” Bolton said, amidst a montage of scenes from Detroit’s past and present. “Some of the greatest people I ever met, Detroiters.”

Several important figures that call the city home made cameos: legendary singer-songwriters Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson; Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.; William Ford Jr., executive chairman of Ford Motor Co.; famed film director, producer, and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola; and Mayor Mike Duggan.

Many reflected over their childhood in the city. Robinson and Franklin explained how they and fellow singer-songwriter, Diana Ross, grew up together on the north end of Detroit. Shaun Robinson, former co-host of entertainment and celebrity news program, Access Hollywood, gushed over his favorite haunts, including Belle Isle Park, Palmer Park, and Greektown. Rock singer Alice Cooper talked about going to Red Wings games with his father at Olympia Stadium. Director and producer Jerry Bruckheimer reflected on his Detroit upbringing as a first generation American — his parents immigrated from Germany. 

Fashion designer John Varvatos and journalist Mitch Albom appeared as well.

Bolton made nods to all of Detroit’s identities over the first half of the 20th century. As the “industrial backbone” of the country during World War II due to its thriving automotive industry. As the birthplace of the middle class — families who had disposable income. As a melting pot of immigrants who came from around the world to have a great life. And as a cultural mecca boasting venues like Fox Theatre where the iconic artists of Motown performed.

Bolton has a deep love for Motown, and Detroit first caught his eye while he was researching for his album, “A Tribute to Hitsville USA.” Though the former recording studio is now museum, Bolton considers it to be a lab once filled with master scientists at work. Some of Motown’s key players including musician and producer, Quincy Jones, and songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland were featured in the documentary

Bolton’s ultimate goal was to also shed light on the city’s true story — a story he finds blurred by the media’s continual focusing on Detroit’s undoing.

“Detroit’s music and manufacturing was fueling the world,” Bolton said on screen. “So, what happened?”

Racial tensions were not overlooked. Albom, in conjuction with several others, explained the racial divide between black and white people during the city’s heyday. As white people with money began leaving Detroit, a phenomenon known as “White Flight,” the city took several economic blows. These were exacerbated by the oil embargo of the 1970s, the economic downturn in the 1980s, and the crippling 2007-09 recession. These were the events that would lead to the Motor City’s downfall over the course of four decades, and by 2013, the city itself would file for bankruptcy.

But Detroit would not go down without a fight. Bolton addressed the present growth happening in the city through the stories of young entrepreneurs, who Bolton believes holds the keys to the future. The audience heard from commercial real estate firm, Bedrock Detroit; Melissa Price, CEO of interior design firm, dPOP; Jason Hall, co-founder of the bicycling nonprofit, Slow Roll; Bridget Russo, former chief marketing officer of Shinola; and Veronika Scott, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Plan, which employs women that are homeless or living in shelters to turn coats into sleeping bags.

Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, LLC., spoke as well. The move of his business into several buildings throughout downtown Detroit has been pivotal in the city’s rebound.  

Click here to learn more about “American Dream: Detroit” from Fathom Events.

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by sylvie boisvert on May 17, 2018 at 4:45pm

Very nice article indeed, thanks for sharing Sylvia, take care. Hugs, sincerely, Sylvie Qc Canada :D

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on May 18, 2018 at 11:22am

Michael has posted comment and pic to his Instagram a/c only hence reason putting in transcript of comment in case some can't access from link.

https://instagram.com/p/Bi5jCvNFqtx/

Comment : #tbt exploring the old federal building vault in downtown Detroit where the coolest design and architecture shop now lives !! @dpopculture"

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on May 18, 2018 at 11:32am

Pics of both Jena Ascuitto and AdventuresWV who performed on stage at screening of film in Detroit. Pics come courtesy of Original1265.

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on May 18, 2018 at 12:02pm

Pics of both Jena Ascuitto and AdventuresWV who performed on stage at screening of film in Detroit. Pics come courtesy of Original1265.

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on May 18, 2018 at 12:04pm

Short vid of Michael on his way to Redford Theatre, Detroit for screening of film on 15th May in 1940 Packard courtesy of Motor City Vintage Rentals

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

27

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