The Florida Project: A Deep Dive into Childhood and Poverty

Hello! Today, I want to discuss the film 'The Florida Project,' which has been re-released in a stunning 4K version after seven years. Directed by Sean Baker, known for his acclaimed film 'The Florida Project,' this movie is a poignant exploration of childhood set against the backdrop of poverty. Personally, I believe it's even better than his recent work, 'Anora,' and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

The title 'The Florida Project' refers to the name Disney used in the 1960s when acquiring land in Orlando, Florida, to build its theme park. While the area once thrived with souvenir shops, restaurants, and colorful pastel motels, it fell into disrepair following the 2008 financial crisis, becoming a slum where the impoverished were forced to live in cheap motels.

The film tells the story of children precariously living in this motel community, just a stone's throw from the magical world of Disney. Co-written by Baker and Chris Bergoch, the narrative was inspired by the sight of carefree children playing in the motel parking lot.

The protagonist is a six-year-old girl named Moonee, who resides in the purple motel 'Magic Castle.' Watching children, I often wonder why they run instead of walk and how they seem to have endless energy. Moonee embodies this spirit, bounding around with infectious enthusiasm throughout the film.

She runs to spit on the windows of unfamiliar cars, causes a blackout by flipping the power switch, and dashes to visit her friend Jancey at the neighboring motel 'Futureland.' Her vibrant energy draws the audience into her world as they explore the neighborhood alongside her.

(Note: Spoilers for 'The Florida Project' follow.)

Interestingly, the film lacks a traditional villain. Moonee's mother, Halley, is often seen cursing and seeking cigarettes and drugs, yet she loves her daughter fiercely. It's hard to judge Halley, who resorts to sex work to provide for Moonee. Even Bobby, the strict motel manager, acts as a guardian, trying to protect the children from their harsh environment. Even the child services worker who checks on them isn't portrayed as a villain, yet the situation continues to deteriorate.

One of the most striking scenes occurs after a heavy rain when Moonee and Jancey gaze at a rainbow above the motel. Moonee remarks, "They say there's gold at the end of the rainbow," to which Jancey worries about a dwarf fairy guarding it. Moonee confidently suggests they could just "knock it out." (Remarkably, this rainbow scene was not CGI; it was a real rainbow captured during filming, adding to the film's magic.)

The film opens with children calling each other's names and concludes with Moonee and Jancey running toward the seemingly distant Disney World. Unlike the rest of the film shot on 35mm film, the final scene was secretly filmed on an iPhone without Disney's permission. This shift in tone is both shocking and beautiful, revealing the stark reality of their colorful yet decaying neighborhood. The children cross the boundary between the motel community and Disney World, racing toward the magical castle.

After seven years, I find myself wondering how Moonee has grown and what her life is like now. Realistically, children without a dime would never make it into Disneyland, so the film's ending can be seen as a product of their imagination. Still, I like to believe that Moonee has set off to find the gold at the end of the rainbow. If anyone could take on a dwarf fairy, it would be her. This bittersweet yet beautiful ending serves as a hopeful message for all children like Moonee, encouraging them to run toward their dreams.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more in the next letter.