The Last Resort

The Last Resort is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary released in 2018, directed by Dennis Scholl and Kareem Tabsch. This movie features interviews from key figures including Pulitzer Prize-winning crime reporter Edna Buchanan, art historian Susan Gladstone, and prominent local personality Stan Hughes, amongst other interesting characters.

This astonishing documentary uncovers the rich and vibrant history of Miami Beach in the 1970s, a place that was once dubbed the "winter playground" of America. It explores the journey of two talented photographers, Andy Sweet, an established native of Miami, and Gary Monroe, a gifted newcomer who recently arrived there. They embarked on a prolific ten-year photography project to document the shifting cultural landscape of the Miami Beach of that era.

The two photographers focus their lenses on capturing the quaint and unassuming life of the aging Jewish community living there, a region perceived as being on the fringes of society. This demographic of elders, mainly Holocaust survivors, flocked there in the 1970s and transformed this once glamorously themed spot into a tight-knit society with its unique culture and tradition. Andy's vividly colored photos and Gary's black-and-white photographs relay a poetic and captivating narrative of the dwindling community.

The engaging interviews from the featured personalities, including Edna Buchanan, Susan Gladstone, and Stan Hughes, provide an intriguing perspective about the sociopolitical fabric and architectural heritage of Miami during that time. These interviews are expertly woven into this cultural tapestry, serving to underline the story told through images, bringing it to life.

During the movie, Buchanan shares her accounts as a crime reporter with the Miami Herald, focusing on the criminally chaotic environment during the late 70s and early 80s. Her encounters and anecdotes about Miami Beach's restless evolution provide an insightful lens to viewers.

Susan Gladstone, Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida, shares her deep understanding of Jewish heritage and culture. Her discussion focuses on the integration and transformation of the Jewish community within Miami Beach, providing context to the vibrant and resilient community represented in the photographs.

Stan Hughes, a prominent figure in Miami, serves as a recognizable face to the audience. His engaging tales about the city's past, along with his personal experiences, impart an added depth to the narrative of Miami Beach's cultural transformation.

The Last Resort also examines the tragic fate of its principal photographer, Andy Sweet. His untimely death shocked the community, and the story behind the loss of his original negatives adds a layer of intrigue and melancholy to the narrative, serving as a testament to the impermanence of culture, tradition, and life itself.

Amid this, the movie showcases the evolution of Miami Beach, from a cultural haven for an aging Jewish population to its commercial and urban renewal that led to the displacement of the initial community. The directors have masterfully captured the essence of an era gone by, the sociocultural changes, and the loss that came with it in the name of urbanization and modernization.

Most importantly, The Last Resort is a tribute to the grand vision of photographers who were insightful enough to see and capture a slice of society that was not given the attention it deserved. Through these photographs, we get to witness the twilight days of a once vibrant community and the rich cultural life that once thrived in the backdrop of Miami's sun-soaked beaches.

In essence, The Last Resort takes its audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, exploring the invaluable cultural, historical, and anthropological dimensions of a society. The ever-changing face of Miami Beach, under the empathetic lenses of Andy Sweet and Gary Monroe, presented by the insightful narratives from Edna Buchanan, Susan Gladstone, Stan Hughes and other characters, makes this movie an absolute must-watch for lovers of history, culture, and contemporary art.