‘The Florida Project’ director Baker in no rush to make next film

SEAN Baker ( left) doesn’t want to rush his next film. The 46-year- old filmmaker recently helmed the critically acclaimed The Florida Project - which has been nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for Willem Dafoe - but despite his success, Baker admitted he wants to take his time before embarking on his next project. Speaking to Screen International, Baker said: “My agent and my producers have been pushing me to get to the next thing but to tell you the truth, I just want to take it slowly. There’s no reason to rush except to pay the bills.”

Baker - who won Director of the Year at the London Film Critics’ Circle Awards on Sunday (Jan 28) - also revealed he has got some scripts but hasn’t fallen in love with them yet.

He said: “I did have scripts ready to go but I have fallen out of love with them. I see people want me to tell stories about the contemporary US and I am taking that to heart. It is art and commerce. You are always thinking, ‘ Do I need to get a name in there?’

“If I didn’t have Willem in this film, I doubt I would even be in the conversation, at least in the US. All they want is stars. It’s kind of ridiculous. They judge you if you don’t have a star.”

The Florida Project is set on a stretch of highway just outside the imagined utopia of Disney World and follows Moonee ( Brooklynn Prince) and her rebellious mother Halley ( Bria Vinaite) over the course of a summer.

The mother and daughter live week to week at The Magic Castle - a budget hotel managed by Bobby ( Dafoe) - and despite her harsh surrounding, Moonee has no trouble making each day a celebration of life.

However, unknown to her, her fantasy is supported by the sacrifice of her mother who is forced to explore increasingly dangerous possibilities to provide for her daughter.