The Florida Project - Interview with Brooklynn Prince and Bria Vinaite

Actress Bria Vinaite plays 20-something single mom Halley in The Florida Project. Her daughter, Moonee, is played by Brooklynn Prince.   Marc Schmidt/Courtesy of A24

It's not very often when a film comes along that is moving, inspiring and so touching that you find it hard to forget after you leave the theatre. 

The Florida Project is one of those rare films that will not only have you talking about it's subject matter but also about the extraordinary performances from it's stars.

Director Sean Baker (who burst onto the scene with Tangerine which told the story of transgender sex workers in Los Angeles  filmed entirely on an iPhone) now gives us The Florida Project,  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.

Marc Schmidt/Courtesy of A24

The two live week to week at “The Magic Castle,” a budget hotel managed by Bobby (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 Moon’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.

The Florida Project  screened in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and was an audience favourite at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September. 

The film is filled with wonderful performances but the breakouts belong to six year old Brooklynn Prince and first time actor Bria Vinaite (who director Sean Baker discovered on Instagram)! 

I spoke with newcomers Brooklynn Prince and Bria Vinaite during the Toronto International Film Festival about what it was like to work on this film and how it affected them personally. 

CLICK THE LINK BELOW.

THE FLORIDA PROJECT IS CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THE U.S. AND ROLLS OUT IN CANADA BEGINNING FRIDAY OCTOBER 13TH.