Tourist Mecca’s Unsettling Journey Through Time

Read Time:3 Minute, 23 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Touristic Intents
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 15m
Director(s): Mat Rappaport
Where To Watch: opens in Los Angeles on June 12, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: Get ready for a trip through time and space. Join director Mat Rappaport as we examine TOURISTIC INTENTS, an eye-opening documentary. Known for his unique perspective on space perception and the intriguing blend of human interaction with constructed realities, Rappaport invites us on an unforgettable journey through a storied seaside resort called The Colossus of Prora, commonly known as simply "Prora."

Think back to a monumental resort conceived in the dark times of the Nazi regime, destined for the recreation and relaxation of the working class. Prora is our focal point of exploration; its construction was halted due to the eruption of World War II. But the East German government later spotted what was left unfinished and got a military makeover. Suddenly, the place that was supposed to be a workers' paradise became a symbol of state power.

Fast forward to today, and you'll find Prora as a beacon of tourism along the seaside. A hotspot with various accommodations, from apartments and condos to hotels and even a youth hostel, all stand on the grounds where the shadows of Nazi propaganda once stood. It raises a thought-provoking question that TOURISTIC INTENTS compels us to ponder: Is it possible to uphold a place's historical significance while also catering to the commercial needs of the present?

Now, meet the man behind this captivating cinematic offering. Rappaport, a maestro in performance and photography, has his creations celebrated globally. They challenge our perspective of the world we inhabit. His credentials further shine as an Associate Professor in the Cinema and Television Arts Department at Columbia College, Chicago, and as the head of the New Media Caucus.

His latest creation, TOURISTIC INTENTS, is another feather in his cap. It surpasses the typical boundaries of a documentary, highlighting how a place earmarked for leisure got trapped in the broad narrative of political propaganda. The documentary mirrors Rappaport’s academic pursuits, echoing the insights shared in his work in the iDMAa Journal and his chapter in Beyond Globalization: Making New Worlds in Media, Art, and Social Practices by Rutgers University Press.

The movie raises a significant query: Are we obliged to remember the shadowy pasts that certain buildings silently retain within their structures? Prora's checkered past, imprinted with the influence of the Nazi and East German eras, is the perfect backdrop for such contemplation. It nudges us to consider the impact of broader global factors, such as the nuances of American industrialization and modern capitalism. Honestly, I could have watched a series of documentaries that cover precisely that. Prora may be the “cream of the crop,” but it can’t be the only one with a shadowy past.

TOURISTIC INTENTS scrutinizes Prora's past, following its complex trajectory from a large-scale tourism project under the Nazi regime, its practical use by the East German government, to its rebirth as a popular modern vacation spot. It presents a complex mesh of architecture, mass tourism, and political ideology, intriguing us to think about how these elements shape our shared memory.

TOURISTIC INTENTS encourages more significant discussions on what the past means, especially regarding manufactured aspects that were there throughout dark times. Through this compelling film, Rappaport reminds us that our built environments are not mere spaces for occupation but are silent recorders of historical and political tides. If you seek an engaging and thought-provoking viewing experience, TOURISTIC INTENTS will not disappoint!

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[photo courtesy of FIRST RUN FEATURES]