Flophouse America

Local title
Motellituba Ameerikas
Original title
Flophouse America
Director
Monica Strømdahl
Country
Norway, Netherlands, USA
Year
2025
Festival
25th Youth and Children's Film Festival
Programme
Children's Rights Programme
Subject
alcoholism, addictions, poverty, child-parent relationships, children's rights

The dark side of the American Dream.

The housing crisis in the United States has forced many economically vulnerable families to move into cheap, run-down motels. What begins as a temporary, low-cost shelter often becomes a long-term necessity. One such family is that of 12-year-old Mikal, who has spent the past few years living in a two-room motel with his alcoholic parents. The boy is erratic yet intelligent, and his greatest wish is for his parents to stop drinking. But he has been hoping for that his entire life.

One of the best documentaries this year, with its unforgivingly observant style never turns the camera away, but immerses the viewer with remarkable skill into Mikal’s harsh reality, exposing the dark underside of the American Dream.

Director
Monica Strømdahl
Screenwriter
Monica Strømdahl
Cast
Mikal Mikal
Producer
Beathe Hofseth, Siri Natvik
Cinematographer
Monica Strømdahl
Editing
Siv Lamark
Music
Andreas Ihlebæk, Marius Troy
Production
FRI FILM
Runtime
Language
English
Subtitles
Estonian
Director
Monica Strømdahl

Screenings

9th Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening030917 / Motellituba Ameerikas
SubtitlesEstonian
Screening duration
4th Hall Apollo Kino Solaris
Screening081316 / Motellituba Ameerikas
SubtitlesEstonian
Screening duration
4th Hall Apollo Kino Solaris
Screening101315 / Motellituba Ameerikas
SubtitlesEstonian
Screening duration