The Eclectic Cinema Presents:

 

USA | 2017 | 111 mins

 

Directed by: Sean Baker

Starring: Brooklynn Prince| Bria Vinaite| Willem Dafoe

 

Sean Baker’s latest film Anora (released November 2024) just won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and we screened one of his earlier (micro-budget) movies Tangerine last April. The Florida Project again involves the lives and experiences of marginalised people – in this case the poor, trying to scrape a living in present-day America. And, again, many of the actors are first-timers, from whom Baker has drawn the most moving and memorable performances.

 

The scene is the Magic Castle Inn, a motel located next door to Walt Disney World. Halley and her six-year-old daughter Moonee share a room there, the mother getting by working as a stripper. Moonee is friends with other kids living in the motel, and together they enjoy unruly and imaginative fun over the summer, pretty much unsupervised. All the while the janitor of the motel keeps a supportive eye on his diverse residents.

 

The children are brilliant – little rascals running amok in their peculiarly pastel environment. Brooklynn Prince, as Moonee, was acclaimed by the critics, as was Bria Vanaite, playing her mother. And Willem Dafoe – as the janitor holding things together – was reckoned to have delivered one of his best performances.