Willem Dafoe leads mesmerizing trailer for The Florida Project

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Sean Baker broke onto the scene a few years ago with his moving and illuminating film TANGERINE, which was a soulful examination of trans individuals living in Hollywood. If the reaction out of Cannes is any indication Baker has topped himself with his newest movie, THE FLORIDA PROJECT, starring Willem Dafoe. The first trailer (above) is transcendent and gorgeous and advertises what could go down as one of Dafoe’s best performances.

Here is the full synopsis from A24:

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 in a stunning breakout turn) and her rebellious mother Halley (Bria Vinaite, another major discovery) over the course of a single summer. The two 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.

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.

With The Florida Project, Sean Baker gives life and a voice to a community rarely seen on screen. Through the winsome eyes and pained glances 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.

Critics have already praised the movie, and many are already falling in love with the young talent Brooklyn Prince who people are saying could be this year’s breakout child star – much like Jacob Tremblay in ROOM or Sunny Pawar in LION. But the trailer really showcases Dafoe at his best, proving that he’s just as good in relatable, grounded roles as he is playing eccentric characters like in the upcoming DEATH NOTE film. Hopefully, he gets some awards attention for this because frankly, it's about g**damned time.

THE FLORIDA PROJECT gets a limited release October 6.