RESURGO DETROIT:
THE RISE FROM WITHIN
FYC: Best Documentary FEATURE FilM
The comeback story of the century began in the people who never left
Coming 2025
_________
Coming 2025
_________
Stephen McGee and Jessica Care Moore first collaborated in 2010 for TEDX Detroit. Since then Jessica, born and raised in Detroit, and Stephen, raised in California, have collaborated on 12 films about Detroit. “All of those collaborations, combined with my interviews, curated the approach to this film, where I point my lens, my daily life and how I talk about Detroit.” - Director Stephen McGee
THE SETUP TO 20 YEARS OF DOCUMENTING
‘In 2005 I was a rootless, globe traveling, parachute journalist documenting some of the deepest levels of the human experience, pointing my lens where I thought I could make a difference. After almost being killed overseas, I landed back in California and questioned my purpose. The next day The Detroit Free Press called and I moved from California to Detroit. After seeing some of the world’s greatest ruins, both of past civilizations and humanity, I knew that the abandonment in Detroit was a larger than a zip code narrative.
‘Detroit could be the best mirror this country has’
For the next 19 years I became ingrained in the story I fell into. Yes, I explored Detroit’s ruins but my camera didn’t stop there. I pointed my lens to the people and listened to their stories. I began being invited into the real story of life in the city. Each of my almost 1000 interviews brought me closer to understanding how to present this symphony of visuals. Connecting back with people, sometimes after 10 years gives a perspective in life that I tried to represent in this film.’
-Stephen McGee - Director
© 2025 Stephen McGee