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Lansing-raised filmmaker examines Arab-American life with “Detroit Unleaded”

Courtesy/Arsenal Pictures

A Michigan filmmaker is taking her romantic comedy on the festival circuit, including a screening tonight at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York.

“Detroit Unleaded” focuses on the personalities who come and go at a gas station in the Motor City.

The movie’s writer, director and producer Rola Nashaf grew up on the west side of Lansing. She emigrated with her family from Lebanon at the age of five. The Waverly High School graduate moved to Detroit after college.

Current State's Scott Pohl recently spoke with Nashef about the project, which started as a 20-minute short film that premiered at the 2007 East Lansing Film Festival.

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