The Florida Project

In select theaters
October 6^th 2017

115 minutes

English

Warm, winning and gloriously alive, Sean Baker’s The Florida Project is a deeply moving and unforgettably poignant look at childhood. Set on a stretch of highway just outside the imagined utopia of Disney World, The Florida Project follows six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her rebellious mother Halley (Bria Vinaite) over the course of a single summer. The two live week to week at “The Magic Castle,” a budget motel managed by Bobby (Willem Dafoe), whose stern exterior hides a deep reservoir of kindness and compassion. Despite her harsh surroundings, the precocious and ebullient Moonee has no trouble making each day a celebration of life, her endless afternoons overflowing with mischief and grand adventure as she and her ragtag playmates—including Jancey, a new arrival to the area who quickly becomes Moonee’s best friend—fearlessly explore the utterly unique world into which they’ve been thrown. Unbeknownst to Moonee, however, her delicate fantasy is supported by the toil and sacrifice of Halley, who is forced to explore increasingly dangerous possibilities in order to provide for her daughter.

starring...

Willem Dafoe

Bobby

Brooklynn Prince

Moonee

Valeria Cotto

Jancey

Bria Vinaite

Halley

Christopher Rivera

Scooty

Director

Sean Baker

Writer

Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch

Cinematographer

Alexis Zabe

Film Editing

Sean Baker

Casting

Carmen Cuba

Production Design

Stephonik Youth

Set Decoration

Kurt Thoresen

70% on the CINEMETER

87% - Oct 8, 2017

Deeply affecting and unsettling. Heartbreaking, breathtaking. Brooklynne should be nominated for an Oscar.
San Francisco Member

Beautifully tragic film. I think it is easy to take our middle-class existence for granted. This film depicted the chidren's resilience and imagination in the underbelly of the country. I appreciated the strong symbolism throughout the film. It is deeply thought-provoking.
San Francisco Member

A mostly terrific, unusual film, so vibrantly capturing a slice of life of these people living on the fringe. Like others, I experienced anxiety throughout the film on behalf of the kids and the dangers they were facing. Willem Defoe's underacting was marvelous.
San Francisco Member

Almost the anti-"Beasts of the Southern Wild." No metaphors, no romantic glow, no transcendence, no cathartic release; yet possessing a a hardscrabble, ugly beauty all its own.
San Francisco Member

Tough medicine. Most of us never see this poor and rough side of life, but it is not a marginal truth, it's a common one, and we are all responsible for its existence.
San Francisco Member

Beautiful, touching and painful. The whole country should see it - an argument for better distribution of resources.
San Francisco Member

STL

66% - Oct 15, 2017

The best well-made movie that I hated every minute of. So real. Affected me in a way that I haven't been by a movie in a very long time.
St. Louis Member

An "eye opener" film into the face of poverty in America as seen through the eyes and actions of children. An emotional roller coaster ride from the laughter brought about by the kids' antics to the teary, tragic end of poverty. We all lose. Politically charged film. Perhaps the film could be a "wake-up" call for all of us to take appropriate actions politically to end poverty in America. If we don't address this poverty/anger, our children will be the ones who suffer.
St. Louis Member

Truly outstanding! Magic realism comes to the screen! Best "kids'-eye-view" film since "Lord of the Flies." Director Sean Baker inspired by The Little Rascals. Kids have an endless summer of "magic"--non-stop fun until "reality" intrudes. Adults do the best they can with what they have. Disney's "magic" juxtaposed with Florida "realism." Acting and directing superb--use of green, blue colors, brings film to beautiful, vivid life.
St. Louis Member

This is a difficult film to watch but it was worth every minute because it was so real. There is a time we have to realize that we have to help each other and the time is now.
St. Louis Member

A sad story beautifully told--I felt it portrayed the story of how some people struggle to make life good in spite of limited assets--materially and personally. Fantasy for children is healthy and useful tool for development, but when adults continue to depend on it to cope, the cost becomes far greater than a ticket to Disney World.
St. Louis Member

Unremittingly bleak but it was supposed to be. Willem Dafoe and the kids--excellent acting.
St. Louis Member

MIL

80% - Oct 15, 2017

I loved this film, LOVED IT! The children were wonderful and horrible. Watching the gritty life in a world for fantasy kept my emotions churning.
Milwaukee Member

One of the best films I've seen this year.
Milwaukee Member

ATL

78% - Oct 15, 2017

There are not enough words for how much I loved this. There's a lot of this that hits a little close to home for me, but I love the sympathetic and empathetic approach it gave to these people living on the fringes.
Atlanta Member

Wonderful performances. This film effortlessly explodes any easy moral categories may have been cherishing. I expected it to be heartbreaking and it was. The surprise was layered and complex the characterization was. Loved the naturalness of the acting, and the way Willem Dafoe modulated his performance so beautifully.
Atlanta Member

Painfully wonderful, & wonderfully painful. I'm out of breath with disbelief at the extreme realism and performances of poverty, disconnectedness and their sorrowful legacy.
Atlanta Member

Very realistic portrayal. It really pulls the curtain back on people struggling to live on the edge. So grateful that the story of child poverty is told. For those in Atlanta, think about motels on Memorial Drive, and the connection between sex work and poverty.
Atlanta Member

The acting was amazing, particularly given that so many of the actors were non-professionals. The film was very hard to watch at many junctures. I had to figuratively sit on my hands to keep from trying to reach out and slap the mother. Yet the filmmaker still allowed us to feel sympathy for her.
Atlanta Member

As uncomfortable as it is to watch this film, it is more disturbing to realize some children grow up in far worse conditions (violence, drugs, sexual abuse). The "extended family" living in the motel helped preserve some of the magic of childhood. I thought the film was very well done and may open a dialogue about solutions.
Atlanta Member

A venture into the unspoken America. Revealing! Authentic and moving portrayal. Excellent cinema!
Atlanta Member

68% - Oct 8, 2017

This is a story that should be shown to every privileged child and parents who provided so much to their children, so that they understand how much of real America lives. Brilliant acting.
Washington, DC Member

Heartbreaking and magical. Incredible mix of emotions. I don't think this was everyone's cup of tea, but I liked it.
Washington, DC Member

Willem Dafoe - all of the actors - were amazing. It was VERY hard to watch this movie. Mostly because of the shame I feel knowing this is happening right around us.
Washington, DC Member

Remarkable acting and directing achievement, it felt as real as a place of fiction could be, even with the slightly fantastical overtones.
Washington, DC Member

The kids acted better than the adults (minus Dafoe). It was an effective glimpse into a life and economic lifestyle middle-class America rarely sees or pays attention to. That in and of itself is important.
Washington, DC Member

59% - Oct 8, 2017

A sensitive and nonjudgmental portrayal of a very complex social situation
Greater New Haven Member

A heart punch. Unrelenting, heartbreaking and painfully real and authentic with the consummate fakeness of Disney as the backdrop.

Greater New Haven Member

A rich and complex view of families on the economic margin, and on the bonds binding children and families.

Greater New Haven Member

How do we continue to live in this society? Very painful to watch but so necessary.

Greater New Haven Member

BOS

52% - Oct 8, 2017

Being trapped in that motel hell was depicted extremely well.
Boston Member

We need more movies like this to wake up America about poverty.
Boston Member

Absolutely amazing! I was stunned by the excellent acting. This is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
Boston Member

Unbelievable performances. The tragic marginalized lives came through with great realism.
Boston Member

Painful to watch but brilliantly done.
Boston Member

Boston Member

A24