The Dells (2024, 72 mins)
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.

Distribution
Screenings & News
World Premiere, Visions du Réel, Nyon, Switzerland, April 2024
Champs Elysees Film Festival, Paris, France, June 2024
Experimental Tuesdays, Union Cinema, Milwaukee, WI, September 2024
US Festival Premiere, New/Next Film Festival, Baltimore, MD October 2024
Duluth Superior Film Festival, Duluth, MN, October 2024
New Orleans Film Festival, New Orleans, LA, October 2024
Tacoma Film Festival, Tacoma, WA, October 2024
Wexner Center Picture Lock Festival, Columbus, OH, March 2025
Cleveland International Film Festival, Cleveland, OH, March 2025
Independent Film Festival Boston, Boston, MA, April 2025
Milwaukee Film Festival, Milwaukee, WI, April 2025
Mezzanine Screening Series, Los Angeles, CA, April 2025
International Labor Film Festival Istanbul, May 2025
Rockaway Film Festival, NYC, May 2025
Anthology Film Archives, NYC, June 2025
Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago, July 2025
Press
On Documentary podcast, with Adam James Smith, May 2024
"The American Way and Other Options," Filmmaker Magazine Visions du Réel write-up by Vadim Rizov, April 2024
Wiseman Podcast: Crazy Horse with Nellie Kluz, with Shawn Glinis and Arlin Goldin, March 2025
Film Threat review by Alan Ng, May 2025
Interview on Lake Effect on Milwaukee Public Radio station WUWM, May 2025
"The Dells is a Very Canny, Very Wisconsin Docu-Film," Urban Milwaukee review by Dominique Paul Noth, May 2025
"The Dells" Screen Slate write-up by Mackenzie Lukenbill, June 2025
"The Dark Underbelly of "The Waterpark Capital of the World" interview with Madeleine Davies in Dwell magazine, June 2025