Critically acclaimed Moonlight can open doors for independent cinema

TStreet Media
FrontRow Magazine
Published in
3 min readNov 29, 2017
Movie still from The Florida Project — directed by Sean Baker (2017)

Moonlight by Barry Jenkins is one of those movies that simply stands out. If anything, it is culturally important, as it carries a message and proves that independent cinema is worthy of being supported.

Jenkin’s movie has been positively received

Last-year’s highly acclaimed movie was based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s unpublished semi-autobiographical play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.” The story of the latter follows Chiron — portrayed by a trio comprising Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes, and Alex R. Hibbert — as he grows up in Miami, Florida amidst support and kindness, but also hatred and abuse. Particular attention is brought to how he struggles with his sexuality on his journey to manhood. But while the authenticity that emanates from Moonlight fascinates audiences, the process of its realization compels filmmakers.

The movie has rightfully snatched multiple prizes, namely, the Golden Globes Best Motion Picture prize in the Drama category and the Academy Awards Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screen Play Oscars. And all of that was possible on a $ 4 million budget that grossed $ 65 million worldwide. Because of its success in the mainstream despite being of the independent genre, director Sean Baker thinks that Moonlight could actually open doors to other independent films.

The authenticity that independent cinema promotes is culturally important

Independent cinema democratizes the seventh art. In a way, it allows individuals to input their experience into movies, creating a contrast with the narratives and messages that are being pushed by big production companies. Several issues are sometimes overlooked by the cinema industry, and smaller teams of filmmakers and actors are more likely to convey reality through their independent projects.

Sean Baker’s “The Florida Project”, which follows 6-year-old “Moonee” — portrayed by Brooklynn Kimberly Prince — would be the perfect example of a movie where much-needed authenticity prevails. The story depicts the everyday life of a modest family that lives in the vicinity of the utopia that Disney is thought to be. In many ways, “The Florida Project” promotes narratives that often go untold, and all of that, through Baker’s humanizing lenses.

Fresh talent leads to authenticity in independent cinema

Bria Vinaite, who plays Moonee’s mother Halley in “The Florida Projects”, thinks that one of the merits of independent films is that they bring credibility to the mainstream. While working with Director Sean Baker, she felt that she had the opportunity to be herself.

“Sean could have chosen any other Hollywood actresses, but he did not want to. Instead, he chose to choose us as we are, with our tattoos and our idiosyncratic ways,” explained Vinaite, who was discovered by Baker through Instagram.

The Florida Project carries an important message

The film will participate in the Gems section of the Miami Film Festival and will be eligible for the “Made in MIA” award, created for the thirty-fifth edition of the city’s international contest. “Moonlight” was also a local production that flourished on a low budget.

h/t: El Diario
Also available on Zyne.ca

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TStreet Media
FrontRow Magazine

TStreet Media is the publishing arm of Toast Studio (@gotoast), a content agency located in lovely Montreal, Canada.