Prora is a documentary about one of Europe’s largest and oldest resorts. This particular structure stands on the island of Rügen, in the Baltic Sea off the northeast coast of Germany. Originally named the “KdF Seaside Resort for 20,000”, the idea for this complex was posited by Robert Ley, leader of the German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront, DAF), in 1936. Ley was in charge of the Kraft durch Freude or “Strength through Joy” programme of recreational activities, created by the Nazi party to indoctrinate the German working class in their spare time.

The 4.7-kilometre-long “Colossus of Prora” was to be the flagship initiative of the DAF’s leisure programme. However, construction came to a halt with the outbreak of World War II in 1939, just one year before its scheduled opening. After being abandoned for nearly fifty years, Prora was revived to fulfill its original purpose under a different ideology: what was envisioned as an ideal holiday destination for good German workers of the National Socialist Reich opened its doors to anyone who could afford a luxury apartment with ocean views. 

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This documentary was made possible thanks to the DKV Seguros – Es Baluard Video Art Production Grant and to the Audiovisual Arts Production Grants of the Provincial Council of Huesca.