The Florida Project is an ultra-realistic drama about a trio of unsupervised young children living in cheap motels in the Orlando area, just minutes from Walt Disney World. Children engage in all kinds of frightening, open-field antics, running alone, entertaining themselves with daring adventures and occasionally getting in and causing trouble. Adults around him often curse, smoke and drink frequently in front of children. There is strong language ("fuck", "shit" and more), very dubious behavior (children accidentally catch fire, for example, and do not understand that they must show remorse for their actions), sexual innuendo (a character becomes) sex worker) and mature themes (poverty, child protection, prostitution, etc.) that make the film the best for older and older adolescents. But, ultimately, it promotes empathy in the way he portrays his characters.
The film is directed by Sean Baker, writer / director known for the films nominated for the Spirit Award, Take Out (2004), Prince of Broadway (2008) and Starlet (2012) (winner of the Robert Altman Spirit Award). His latest film, Tangerine (2015), premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be premiered by Magnolia Pictures in the United States.
He is also one of the creators of the long-running comedy television show Greg the Bunny (2005) and his spin-off Warren the Ape (2010).
WHAT'S THE STORY?
THE FLORIDA PROJECT focuses on a trio of young children, largely unsupervised, whose families live in cheap motels just minutes from Walt Disney World, just outside of Orlando. Six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) is a resident of the Magic Castle Motel, a purple, bed bug-infested place that would love to cater to tourists, but actually attracts unemployed or working-class people who can not afford the deposits of security. For $ 38 per night, Moonee and her relaxed young mother, Halley (Bria Vinaite), live there every night except one per month (the one night rule prevents them from establishing their residence and activating tenants' rights). Moonee spends her summer days without school wandering through Kissimmee, Florida, with her downstairs neighbor, Scooty (Christopher Rivera), whose mother, Ashley (Mela Murder), is a waitress who traps Moonee and Halley with daily bags of food in exchange of child care. Scooty and Moonee also meet with Jancey (Valeria Cotto), a girl who lives with her young grandmother in the motel next door. Presiding over Magic Castle is his stoic administrator, Bobby (Willem Dafoe), who is serving as a reluctant father figure to his motley crew of guest residents.
MOVIE INFO
Rating: R (for language throughout, disturbing behavior, sexual references and some drug material)
Genre: Drama
Directed By: Sean Baker (II)
Written By: Chris Bergoch, Sean Baker (II)
In theaters: Oct 6, 2017
Runtime: 115 minutes
Music: Lorne Balfe
Studio: A24 Films
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Valeria Cotto, Bria Vinaite, Christopher Rivera