Satirical “Hellhole Nelson” Site Launches With Viral Video

In what can only be described as guerrilla genius, an anonymous resident of the city of Nelson, British Columbia has created a satirical film and website about the proposed elitist Hallō Nelson resort development. The film called "Hellhōle Nelson"and accompanying website have just been launched at hellholenelson.com.

In the film, characters from the popular South Park TV series plan a housing development for the ultra-rich, similar to what Hallō Nelson envisions, as per comments made in a recent Globe and Mail article. The animation is interspersed with actual footage of Hallō project principal Graham Kwan taken from the developers video advertisement for the property in which he referred to Nelson as “so real, sooo authentic.”

Watch the full 11-minute-long movie here.

The film presents a hilarious, scathingly poignant look at a possible future for Nelson, envisioning a dystopian transformation of the city into a more commercialized, controlled “hellhole” that is seemingly detached from its current vibrant, grassroots culture. 

It also highlights the tension between preserving local culture and succumbing to pressures for economic growth and the importance of dialogue about how to protect a community’s “authentic” identity while navigating the demands of progress.

Through exaggerated urban planning concepts, the film pokes fun at ideas such as tightly regulated districts, uniform aesthetics, and an influx of large-scale corporate interests that overshadow local businesses.

The overall antagonist-like portrayal of these developments resonates with thousands of Nelson residents who have recently signed a petition calling for a halt to the project and a move towards “thoughtful, sustainable development of affordable, social and supportive housing while integrating and preserving public space.”

The strong opposition to Hallō Nelson stems from the community's strong sense of identity, rooted in its arts scene, outdoor lifestyle, and comfort with counter-culture. In fact, many American draft dodgers settled in the city during the Vietnam war and because of that history, the Hallō Nelson planners originally called their development “The Dodger.” Everyone from war veterans to counter-culture types balked at such an insensitive moniker and the ensuing backlash forced the organizers to pull the name. They have yet to come up with a replacement.

Ultimately, this film’s importance lies in starting a conversation about the balance between development and preservation. It encourages viewers to think critically about how much progress is too much and at what cost by cleverly using humor to make a serious point: Nelson’s future is up for grabs, and its residents must decide whether they want to embrace the Hallo Nelson’s dystopian vision or resist it to keep their town’s unique identity intact.

You can watch the film here.