The Dells
222 E Superior St
Duluth, Minnesota 55802
United States
Duluth, Minnesota 55802
United States
The Dells
(Nellie Kluz, 2024, USA, 72 min)
Dive into the surreal world of The Dells, where American kitsch meets the clash of dreams and reality. Set in Wisconsin Dells, the so-called “Waterpark Capital of the World,” this film offers a sharp, sometime comedic look at the lives of international student workers on J-1 visas.
Hailing from countries like Turkey, Romania, Jamaica, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic, these students land in a town bustling with waterparks and tourist traps, only to find themselves grappling with the gritty reality of low-wage jobs and cultural missteps.
As they juggle lifeguarding, housekeeping, and serving, The Dells reveals a uniquely American experience through their eyes: the frustration of unfulfilled promises, the absurdity of their situations, and the rare moments of genuine connection. With its blend of humor and poignant observation, this film captures the bittersweet essence of chasing dreams in the land of opportunities, revealing both the harsh realities and the enduring hope that define that journey.
(Nellie Kluz, 2024, USA, 72 min)
Dive into the surreal world of The Dells, where American kitsch meets the clash of dreams and reality. Set in Wisconsin Dells, the so-called “Waterpark Capital of the World,” this film offers a sharp, sometime comedic look at the lives of international student workers on J-1 visas.
Hailing from countries like Turkey, Romania, Jamaica, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic, these students land in a town bustling with waterparks and tourist traps, only to find themselves grappling with the gritty reality of low-wage jobs and cultural missteps.
As they juggle lifeguarding, housekeeping, and serving, The Dells reveals a uniquely American experience through their eyes: the frustration of unfulfilled promises, the absurdity of their situations, and the rare moments of genuine connection. With its blend of humor and poignant observation, this film captures the bittersweet essence of chasing dreams in the land of opportunities, revealing both the harsh realities and the enduring hope that define that journey.
The Dells
THE DELLS observes the clash between fantasy and reality faced by international student workers newly arrived in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin – the self-described “Waterpark Capital of the World.” Coming from countries like Turkey, Romania, Jamaica, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic, these students land in the American Midwest via the State Department’s Summer Work Travel program. Issued temporary J-1 visas, they work low-paying jobs as lifeguards, housekeepers, and servers, living in dormitories tucked behind a glut of tourist attractions.
The film follows the rhythms of an ensemble cast of “J-1s” as they work, party, and cruise around town in taxis. Students weather the myriad headaches of making ends meet in the US – car troubles, job losses, long work hours – thanks to their friendships and youthful optimism. We see their hopes for a summer of American luck and prosperity rub up against their actual experiences, which are by turns disappointing, funny, and transcendent.
The film follows the rhythms of an ensemble cast of “J-1s” as they work, party, and cruise around town in taxis. Students weather the myriad headaches of making ends meet in the US – car troubles, job losses, long work hours – thanks to their friendships and youthful optimism. We see their hopes for a summer of American luck and prosperity rub up against their actual experiences, which are by turns disappointing, funny, and transcendent.
72 minutes
