Boblo Boats Documentary to Hit Theaters in September 2022

Published: Monday, July 18, 2022 12:00 pm
By: Boblo Boats Film

Detroit, MI – “Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale,” a documentary that follows preservationists’ efforts to save America’s oldest surviving passenger steamships from the scrapyard, will have its theatrical release in September 2022 through Emagine Entertainment.

Told from the perspective of the beloved steamboat SS Columbia and narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the documentary explores the rich history of Boblo Island and its boats, while also placing the story in the present day.

The documentary, which the Detroit Metro Times called “a magical mystery boat ride of the film,” played at film festivals across the country. It was selected as the Opening Night film of the 2021 Freep Film Festival where it sold out all three of its screenings and was awarded the Hometown Talent Award.

“Boblo Island and the boats that took us there hold a special place in the hearts of many metro Detroiters, but this isn’t just a nostalgia exercise,” said the Freep Film Festival’s artistic director, Kathy Kieliszewski. “This film is about now — and the people dedicated to preserving history and memories despite some extreme hurdles.”

The film follows the New York-based nonprofit resurrecting SS Columbia into a traveling museum destined for the Hudson River. Meanwhile, Ste. Claire's fate rests in the hands of an unlikely band of heroes: a doctor, a psychic and an amusement park fanatic.

The documentary is the feature-length debut for Detroit area filmmaker Aaron Schillinger.

“There is something magical about generations of Detroiters carrying around memories of an amusement park that closed almost 30 years ago. I wanted to pay tribute to those memories while simultaneously peeling back the layers of nostalgia to see what stories or characters might be hiding underneath,” Schillinger said.

The film sheds light on the forgotten civil rights hero, Sarah E. Ray, who forced the integration of Boblo Island in 1945. It also unearths the buried tale of Sugar Island, a former amusement park directly neighboring Boblo Island that was purchased by African Americans to be a “park for their own race.”

“So many Detroiters remember the Halcyon days of sailing to Boblo Island. Fewer remember the courageous stand of Sarah E. Ray,” said Desiree Cooper, award-winning columnist for the Detroit Free Press. “We have to thank Schillinger for his vision, his commitment to historical context, and his inclusive approach to storytelling.”

The film also features newly discovered archival footage digitized at by the Detroit Historical Society. Seeing the film in theaters gives viewers a unique opportunity to see footage of Boblo Island and the boats in 4K resolution.

Following the premiere screening, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers and the Boblo Boat restoration teams. “I look forward to sharing all the progress we have made on Ste. Claire with the audience,” said Steve Faraj, Restoration Supervisor of Ste. Claire.

For the latest on screening times and to watch a trailer of “Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale,” please visit the website: https://www.bobloboatsfilm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobloboatsdoc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobloboatsfilm/

View the trailer for the documentary below!