DETROIT — A red carpet premiere gala event for the film Detroit Unleaded will take place Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Detroit Film Theater (DTF). It is the first Arab American romantic comedy to debut in theaters. The film will also premiere in New York City, Nov. 22 at Cinema Village with additional cities expected to follow.  The theatrical release of the film is Nov. 13th-19th. at the DFT. 

The film’s main character Sami, finds himself living a life he never expected after his father dies in a robbery and Sami is forced to take over the business to support his family. 

He places his dreams of fulfilling a college career on hold and works at the gas station, which has bulletproof glass. His co-worker and cousin Mike, played by actor Mike Batayeh, has plans to expand the business by opening another location. 

The two struggle to keep the business operating and dispute with a nearby station over the price of gas. 

When a young Arab American woman named Najlah comes to the station to deliver an order of cheap long distance phone cards from her brother’s cell phone store, Sami is instantly attracted to her. The two develop a romantic relationship but are prevented from pursuing it because of Najlah’s strict brother and his beliefs on dating practices. 

The film is also an up-close look at the race relationships between business owners in the city and their customers, in addition to the economic hardships they face. 

Detroit Unleaded stars first-time feature actors EJ Assi and Nada Shouhayib, along with Actor/Comedian Mike Batayeh (Breaking Bad), Mary Assel, Steven Soros, and Lebanese film and television Star Akram El-Ahmar.

It has premiered at 15 film festivals and received four awards. The movie has been selected for the Sundance Institute’s Screenwriters Lab and IFP’s Feature Narrative Lab and as one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film.”  

When Arab Americans are in the media, the coverage typically centers around religion and politics, but Detroit Unleaded is void of both, and is an intimate look into the everyday lives of people in the community that often gets overshadowed. 

Nashef was born in Sidon, Lebanon and was raised in Michigan. 

While many Arab Americans are swayed from pursuing careers in the film industry by their families Nashef says she’s lucky her family has always been very supportive. Growing up her parents told her to pursue any career she wanted just as long as she put 100 percent effort into it. 

“They were very supportive, and all they wanted to see was that we were committed to something. They wanted us to be happy,” Nashef said.  

While deciding to pursue a career in the film industry is risky, Nashef says that shouldn’t discourage anybody from following their passion. She’s encouraging aspiring film directors and actors not to be afraid to go into the business, even though it can be tough starting out in the beginning. 

“It is always going to be a hard road, if you have a talent you have to follow your heart; it never leads you down a wrong path. I think a lot of times our parents panic,” Nashef said.  “It is what gives me joy, inspiration.” 

She says that, although Arab Americans have contributed immensely to the country through their careers as professionals, and businesspeople, as long as their image in the media is skewed their influence will be overlooked. 

Nashef says Arabs need to be seen more on television to get into the homes and hearts of more Americans. 

“The same people who tarnished the image of Arab Americans in the media are not the same ones who are going to fix it. We are the ones who have to portray ourselves as entertaining, heartfelt and funny. We are the ones as artists who will be able to breakdown the stereotypes,” said Nashef. 

Tickets for Detroit Unleaded are available at the DTF box office. To contract the box office call 313-833-4005 or visit www.dia.org/DFT. For more on the film visit detroitunleaded.com.