Every year 300,000 international students visit the United States through the J-1 visa program. The program has the stated purpose of giving them the opportunity "to experience and to be exposed to the people and the way of life in the United States." However in practice, these students end up providing an abundant supply of cheap, seasonal labor for American businesses. Such is certainly the case in Wisconsin Dells, a town with just 3,000 permanent residents but that sees 4-5 million visit annually to experience "the waterpark capital of the world".
The Dellsis a wry and engaging examination of this unique and surprising system of immigrant labor. Primed by American cultural exports to expect a life of ease and plenty, the J-1 students instead are confronted with long hours, low-wages, and high rents, receiving a crash course in life in the United States. A favorite on the international film festival circuit,The Dellsis a humorous and insightful portrait of the ways that America projects itself to, and is experienced by, the world.
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