The Florida Project 4K 2017

Theoretically, ‘The Florida Project’ could be called a provocative film, as Sean Baker seriously flirts with the viewer, leaving them no choice in terms of a character with whom they could emotionally connect in any way. The story tells of the everyday lives of several families from disadvantaged social backgrounds who have settled near places that some may have visited in the past.

While some look at a map of an amusement park and sip Florida orange juice, some local residents are just trying to make ends meet, but it's hard to say that they are particularly upset about it. Therefore, it is difficult to understand the director's position, leaving the viewer in such an awkward position: are his characters subjects of some social problem, or are they themselves the problem of this story?

Spitting from the second floor, prostitution, alcohol, swearing, tattoos, the desire to cause trouble and litter - the director has armed both the young characters of ‘The Florida Project’ and their parents and guardians with too many attributes. It would seem that when, instead of fireworks, such characters are facing child protective services, the viewer should give the last shred of sympathy to the main characters, but no, it seems that even the authors of the film do not particularly sympathize with the “problem children,” and the only one with whom one would like to talk about what is happening is the film's own character, played by actor Willem Dafoe. In fact, it seems that his character personifies the viewer himself, as he finds himself at the epicenter of this cycle of problems, ugliness, and hopelessness—but he can do nothing about the residents of the motel he manages.

The Florida Project is not a stupid film; it is open and truthful, and its authenticity can be confirmed especially by those who have seen America in colors other than Disneyland and New York. But still, I cannot accept this social drama in the way the filmmakers have presented it—the main characters have not earned trust and sympathy. Whether this is a test of humanity, I do not know, But if this film was aimed at a more conscious group of society in order to try to find solutions to the problems of the poor, then I'm not sure whether this part of society should solve such problems, because, judging by the attempts of the main characters, I want to say, “Salvation is the work of those who are drowning.”