After the Sept. 11 attacks, Lebanese Canadian filmmaker Amber Fares put aside her career in marketing to focus on another topic: life in the Middle East, where her roots began. In 2007 she enrolled in a Canadian film program; by 2009 she had cofounded SocDoc Studios with fellow filmmaker Avi Goldstein. Speed Sisters is Fares’ first feature-length documentary and it untangles the intricate lives of the first all-female race car driving team in the Arab World. In both English and Arabic with English subtitles, Fares traverses the day-to-day struggles of the five women who make up the team — Maysoon Jayyusi, Mona Ali, Marah Zahalka, Noor Dauod and Betty Saadeh— and connects their individual worlds to tell a much deeper story. Through a sensitive yet powerful approach, she tackles stereotypes against women, the hardships of living in a war zone, family, loyalty and survival — and how one sport can provide an escape from it all. Placing their unwavering dedication on the front line, Fares shows how the team of five challenge, curb, and conquer societal norms. Metro Detroit premiere.

After the film: Program is to be announced

Friday, April 1 at 9:15 p.m. ONLY
Documentary, sports – NR – Tickets $10 – Get tickets online