Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Touristic Intents

Play trailer Poster for Touristic Intents 2023 1h 15m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 1 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
This explores the complex interplay between mass tourism and political ideology through the story of Prora, a colossal, never completed Nazi resort on Germany's Baltic Sea. Initiated in 1936, this 3 mile long structure was intended to accommodate 20,000 working class Germans, serving as a propaganda tool to enhance Nazi support. Despite its abandonment by the Nazis, it was later utilized by East Germany's Socialist government for military purposes and as housing for conscientious objectors.

Where to Watch

Touristic Intents

Critics Reviews

View More
Daniel M. Kimmel North Shore Movies 01/20/2025
3/5
TOURISTIC INTENTS is about a massive seaside resort named Prora – constructed in Nazi Germany – and what became of it. Over the course of a tight 72 minutes, it raises questions about history, industrialism, and leisure time. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Stephan T @RT92173257 01/28/2025 A unique and deliberate documentary that forces you to examine the relationship of architecture and its evolving intention and usage throughout different generations-asking philosophical, cultural and design questions through the lens of modern society ( vacationers, historians, developers, architects). This film rephrases the artist vs art debate within a larger societal context and scale in a provoking manner: good documentaries make you think and Touristic Intents certainly does that! See more Matt P @RT25560083 01/28/2025 This film examines how successive dictatorial regimes used a building project to support their very different goals. But it mostly asks questions about how we acknowledge and grapple with the darker aspects of a nation’s past.! See more Andrew P @RT86316462 01/23/2025 really enjoyed the film! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but totally enjoyed and walked away with a ton of questions. Would recommend for sure. See more Dave K @RT87825527 01/19/2025 Want to get away? This building is an unreal edifice built by people planning world domination. The size and scale is something to behold. This film does a masterful job sharing the story of the resort you never knew existed. See more Amy K @RT33464014 01/18/2025 Really interesting look at the history of this building. Explores the site, its background and its future from many perspectives. See more Chris J @RT01945278 06/06/2023 MOVIE REVIEW Touristic Intents – 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! For more reviews, please visit – https://linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews for more info. Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews. I'm always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies. See more Read all reviews
Touristic Intents

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Movie Info

Synopsis This explores the complex interplay between mass tourism and political ideology through the story of Prora, a colossal, never completed Nazi resort on Germany's Baltic Sea. Initiated in 1936, this 3 mile long structure was intended to accommodate 20,000 working class Germans, serving as a propaganda tool to enhance Nazi support. Despite its abandonment by the Nazis, it was later utilized by East Germany's Socialist government for military purposes and as housing for conscientious objectors.
Director
Mat Rappaport
Screenwriter
Mat Rappaport
Distributor
First Run Features
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 12, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 28, 2025
Runtime
1h 15m
Most Popular at Home Now