‘Florida Project’ explores poverty outside Magic Kingdom

“The Florida Project” screens Friday through Thursday, Dec. 22 through 28, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, hosted by the Sedona International Film Festival.

Critics and audiences are raving about “The Florida Project,” which earned Willem Dafoe a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film. “The Florida Project” is also on every major critic’s list of the top 10 films of the year.

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 Walt Disney World, “The Florida Project” follows 6-
year-old Moonee [Brooklynn Prince in a breakout turn] and her ragtag gang of friends. Moonee and her rebellious mother Halley [Bria Vinaite, another major discovery] live week to week at The Magic Castle, a budget motel managed by Bobby [a career-best Willem Dafoe], whose stern exterior hides a deep reservoir of kindness and compassion.
Willem Defoe earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as hotel manager Bobby in “The Florida Project” The film is on nearly every major critic’s list of the top 10 films of the year.
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 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 struggle and sacrifice of Halley, who is forced to explore increasingly dangerous possibilities in order to provide for her daughter.

With “The Florida Project,” director Sean Baker gives life and a voice to a community rarely seen on screen. Through the eyes of Moonee, Halley and Bobby, Baker has created a spellbinding and transformative portrait of contemporary lives lived in the margins that are otherwise too easily forgotten.

“The Florida Project” declares, boldly and proudly, that anywhere can be a Magic Kingdom — it just depends on how you see it.

“The Florida Project” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Dec. 22 through 28. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday, Dec. 22, 23 and 26; and 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 27 and 28.

Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. Call 282-1177 for tickets and more information. The theater and film festival office are at 2030 W. State Route 89A in West Sedona. Visit SedonaFilmFestival.org for more information.