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But these are mere snapshots, glimpses into a deeper, more complex panorama.

Once the proud center of the American industrial machine — its cars gleamed, its culture was rich, its future boundless. Now, it is an omen, a ghost of America’s future. No one understands this better than the people literally putting out the fires, battling every day in an uncertain war.

BURN is a character-driven documentary about Detroit, told through the eyes of Detroiters who are on the front lines, trying to rescue and rebuild it. BURN will follow the firefighters, the men and women charged with the thankless task of saving a city that many have written off as dead. We’ll also look at the educators, the reformers, the activists, the enthusiasts — those who have the vision and the heart to bring a forgotten American dream back to Detroit.

The Detroit Fire Department is one of the oldest, proudest fire forces in the world, and certainly one of the busiest.

Every day, these firefighters face injury, disablement, illness, death. But still they come back, day after day, resolved that they can make a difference.

The city’s future is uncertain — record foreclosures, unemployment, and a struggling auto industry have made it ground zero of the foundering American economy. But there’s still life here. And people are listening. These firefighters and a cast of visionary citizens argue that it’s worth saving, and they’re fighting the battle with unparalleled commitment and a remarkable sense of humor.

Until now, no one has properly explored the city with the depth and detail it deserves.

BURN will embed with Detroit firefighters and follow a rich tapestry of other Detroit stories. We’ll explore human struggles, hope and personal courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

This is an American story.