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Every City has a Story of Resilience.
Pontiac, Michigan has countless triumphs over adversity. Pontiac—Roses Through the Thorns is a feature-length documentary, gathering the voices of long-time residents, speaking up with a message of hope. This film captures the heart of a city that has weathered challenge after challenge and still finds ways to bloom.
The inspiration for this project came from first-hand observations about Pontiac—the pride, the heartbreak, and the creative spirit that runs through the community. As filmmakers, we were captivated by the idea of documenting not just the history, but the soul of the city.
Pontiac’s story is layered. Once a thriving hub of the automotive industry, it faced decades of economic decline, factory closures, and disinvestment. Yet, through it all, the people of Pontiac have continued to persevere. They find strength in family, faith, music, and community. In our interviews, residents spoke candidly about the challenges they’ve faced, but also about the lessons, values, and resilience that carry them forward. Their words weave together a living testimony of grit and grace.
Above all, Pontiac—Roses Through the Thorns is about blooming where you’re planted: offering encouragement, wisdom, and solidarity for anyone going through hard times. This is not just Pontiac’s story—it is a universal story of endurance, renewal, and hope. By sharing it with the world, we aim to honor the city’s legacy and celebrate the beauty that can rise from struggle.
Behind the Scenes: Filmmaking
Pontiac’s history is inseparable from the automotive industry. We spent time filming in historic sites, visiting the Pontiac Transportation Museum, and digging into archives from the Detroit Historical Society, the National Archives, and the Prelinger Archives. Each photograph, each piece of footage became another brushstroke in a portrait of a city that built cars—and built character.
Documentary filmmaking is part journalism, part art, and all about relationships. We had the pleasure of attending and filming a church service at Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. We spent hours with community members, sitting in living rooms, walking neighborhoods, and listening to memories that stretched across generations.
A Love Letter and a Call to Action
Producing a documentary film is like weaving a quilt—every scene, every voice, and every image must work together to tell a cohesive story. One of our favorite surprises was recording stories about the legendary Northern vs. Central high school rivalry—a point of pride that still lights up the eyes of Pontiac alumni. These moments gave the film a rare mix of joy and nostalgia, balancing the more difficult stories about economic decline and loss.
Throughout the filmmaking process, we worked to strike a balance between gritty realism and poetic beauty. Our goal was to reflect Pontiac honestly, while also showing the resilience and creativity that continues to thrive there. We mixed interviews with music, city sounds, and historic footage to create a rhythm that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
Ultimately, Pontiac—Roses Through the Thorns is both a love letter to Pontiac and a call to action. It’s a reminder that our cities are alive, and that their stories are still being written by the people who live there. Seen here is the video podcast, Minus the Blueprint, filmed live on location in Pontiac.
We hope this film inspires viewers to honor their own communities, to listen to their neighbors, and to keep planting seeds of beauty, even in hard soil. We are currently submitting Pontiac—Roses Through the Thorns to film festivals and will share updates as screenings are announced.
Soundtrack & Spirit
Music plays a key role in this film. With an original soundtrack by DJ Dancing Shoes, we wanted every beat to support the emotional arc of the story—from somber reflection to moments of celebration.
