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The Florida Project. 2017. USA. Directed by Sean Baker. DCP. 115 min. Courtesy of A24 Films.
Screenings
Part of the series The Contenders 2017

The Florida Project, and Q&A with Willem Dafoe and Sean Baker

  • This is a past program
Few visitors to Disney’s Magic Kingdom ever notice the parallel universe of cheap motels lined up along the adjacent highways, where struggling families live week by week. Breakout star Brooklynn Prince plays six-year-old firecracker Moonee, who runs wild with her fellow little rascals to turn the shabby neighboring area into their own private theme park, oblivious to the dark secrets unfolding in the adult world. Willem Dafoe, in an exceptionally nuanced performance, plays the motel manager who gets tough on the troublemakers but is quietly looking out for their well-being. 35mm film renders a visually wondrous world seen through the eyes of the youngsters. This bittersweet film warms and breaks hearts all at once. In the end, the magic belongs to the children and the human spirit of survival. 

A Q&A with actor Willem Dafoe and director Sean Baker, moderated by Bambi Higgins, follows the screening.

 

The Florida Project. 2017. USA. Directed by Sean Baker. DCP. 115 min. Courtesy of A24 Films.

Attending this program?

Location: Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum
Parking: Under the museum, $6 flat rate after 6 p.m. (cash or check only)
Food and Drink: Enjoy happy hour in our café, 4-7:30 p.m. Food and drink may not be carried into the Billy Wilder Theater.
Membership: Hammer members receive half-off the general admission ticket price. Sign up for membership today, and you’ll receive a discount code for The Contenders with your confirmation email. Questions? Email membership@hammer.ucla.edu or give us a call at 310-443-7050.

This film program is organized by Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, and Sean Egan, producer, film exhibitions and projects, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

The Hammer Museum’s presentation is made possible by The Billy and Audrey L. Wilder Foundation.
 
Media sponsorship is provided by The Hollywood Reporter. Additional media support is provided by Time Out L.A.

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