Now in Cinemas: Flophouse America

12-year-old Mikal was born and raised in a hotel room shared with his parents, who struggle with addiction. Driven by love and the desire for a better life, Mikal’s greatest desire is for his mother to stop drinking. But what does it really take for someone to change?

The severe housing crisis in the US is forcing many families to live in run-down, cheap hotels known as Flophouses. Director Monica Strømdahl has spent years documenting this reality, capturing the struggles and resilience of the people who call these temporary shelters home. Four years ago, she met Mikal, one of the many children growing up under these precarious conditions. By sharing his story, Mikal hopes to uncover a hidden crisis and help others in similar situations.

Flophouse America follows Mikal as he goes through a childhood marked by poverty, addiction and instability. Mikal is smart and articulate, but his parents’ struggles prevent them from giving him the stability he needs. Through Mikal’s perspective, the film paints an intimate portrait of resilience, hope and the harsh realities of life on the fringes of society.