Yasmin van Dorp's 'The Spectacle' Examines Tourism's Photo Obsession for The New Yorker

Director Yasmin van Dorp's short documentary "The Spectacle," released by The New Yorker, contrasts serene Norwegian landscapes with the chaotic reality of tourist crowds. The film opens with slow, meditative scenes of star-dappled night skies and mountaintop vistas across Norway, initially appearing untouched by humanity. Van Dorp then shifts to hordes of tourists wielding phones, cameras, selfie sticks, and drone controls. Specific moments include a parent trying to coax a child onto the famous Norwegian boulder Kjeragbolten for a photograph, and assistants fluffing formal gowns to create a windswept look. The documentary critiques the contemporary tourism industry, confronting viewers with their inability to be present and the strange desire to experience spectacular sights through a tiny screen. It is available on Vimeo and YouTube, and was featured on Colossal, which also promotes its membership program supporting independent arts publishing.