Newly arrived international student workers face the clash between fantasy and reality in Wisconsin Dells, the "waterpark capital of the world"
Not for Sale.
Reviews and Festivals
"Kluz brilliantly captures the feelings of these young adults, who are employed for the summer as cleaners, waiting staff and sales assistants, in a collective portrait which evokes heat and sex, but also exploitation. She takes us behind the scenes of the cardboard scenery, where everyone is looking to earn a few dollars... A shimmering, poppy portrait of contemporary America and the globalised world, from the perspective of a young and dynamic generation."
— Alice Riva, Visions Du Reel
"A counter-intuitively funny ensemble of people (not least the filmmaker) finding humor in a default hopeless place."
— Vadim Rizov, Filmmaker Magazine
"Most of us grew up knowing that America isn't all LA or New York City, and not everyone here gets to live a life of economic stability, let alone that of a pop star; The Dells shows us this realization hitting an international group of young adults in real time, with results both humorous and painful."
— Eric Allen Hatch, New Next Film Festival, Programmer
"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."
— Duluth Superior Film Festival
"The Dells is observational buddy comedy that focuses on an ensemble cast of J-1s, all feeling their way through a summer in Wisconsin Dells."
— Center for Independent Documentary
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Visions Du Reel
Champs-Elysees Film Festival
Experimental Tuesdays
New/Next Film Festival
Duluth Superior Film Festival
New Orleans Film Festival
Tacoma Film Festival
Cleveland International Film Festival
International Labor Film Festival
Wexner Center for the Arts