Context

This narrative project weaves together contemporary perspectives from hospitality experts and guest testimonials to explore the evolving landscape of casino resort development. Tracing the expansion of resort infrastructure into emerging urban contexts—such as Everett, Massachusetts—the work examines the allure of these sites as engines of economic growth and cultural transformation.

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Beyond the spectacle of gaming and entertainment, the narrative raises critical questions about the social, spatial, and cultural impacts of tourism-driven development. By highlighting the lived experiences of Latinx communities in Everett, the project invites reflection on the uneven effects of urban renewal—foregrounding the ways in which such developments can either revitalize neighborhoods or reinforce systemic inequities.

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Through layered storytelling and interdisciplinary analysis, the project reframes hospitality as a lens to understand power, place-making, and the politics of visibility in contemporary urban America.

Concept

This documentary traces the perspective of a young filmmaker as she explores the transformation of Everett, Massachusetts, before and after the arrival of Encore Boston Harbor—a luxury casino resort that redefined the city's landscape. Through a blend of observational footage, interviews, and personal reflection, the film offers a critical lens on the social, economic, and spatial consequences of large-scale hospitality developments.

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Targeted toward urban planners, hospitality professionals, and cultural critics, the narrative questions whether such projects offer genuine urban renewal or merely construct the appearance of progress. By centering local voices and capturing the everyday rhythms of a community in flux, the film opens up a dialogue around development, displacement, and the politics of place-making in contemporary American cities.

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Ultimately, the work challenges viewers to consider who benefits from urban transformation—and what is lost when growth is defined solely by spectacle and investment.