Find Your Kingdom.

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Kimberly Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Christopher Rivera, Caleb Landry Jones, Aiden Malik, Josie Olivo, Edward "Punky" Pagan, Patti Wiley, Mela Murder

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"These are the rooms we're not supposed to go in... But let's go anyways!"– Moonie

Why watch this? Florida ain't all parks, resorts and golf courses... this looks at many of the locals who live there.

Plot Summary: Six-year-old Moonie, and her single, poorly-equipped, crass mother, Halley, currently reside at the Magic Castle Inn and Suites, a budget hotel in Kissimmee, Florida. The establishment's manager, Bobby, does his best to handle all the woes of dealing with low-income folks who struggle to pay the rent. Meanwhile, Moonie and her young cohorts basically terrorize the area unsupervised. She's adorable, but certainly a troublemaker. Luckily, Bobby, though firm, remains protective of the youngsters. One day, Moonie's pal Scooty, who stays at the Futureland Inn, finds a lighter and the kids start a fire which burns down an abandoned condominium complex. This only brings new hardships upon Moonie's mom, who must resort to prostitution to make enough money to get by.

Dad's Preview: This film somehow finds a way to be enjoyable, even if the subject leaves you feeling hopeless. These characters, all abandoned by society, are heartbreaking. They are lost in a spider web of problems they can never rise above. Poverty. Crime. Violence. All in the shadow of Walt Disney World - a haven of happiness and good times, all neatly purchased by people who have no idea what it means miss a rent payment or go hungry. The film's joy mostly comes from two actors: young Brooklynn Prince - her sassy, precocious performance is a pleasure to watch; and what can I say about Willem Dafoe. He crafts such a subtle, caring performance as Bobby, the one person who endures all challenges, yet remains the steady hand upon whom all can depend. So, the next time you visit Florida, remember those who occupy the Magic Castle, Futureland, and similar haunts, where folks barely eke out an existence.

Cre Film, Freestyle Picture Company, Cinereach, June Pictures; A24