31/03/2025 - Monica Strømdahl’s first feature-length documentary is an intimate – yet painful – look at a boy and his parents caught in the grip of addiction

In Flophouse America [+see also:
interview: Monica Strømdahl
film profile], Norwegian photographer-turned-director Monica Strømdahl delivers an unflinching, intimate portrait of life on the margins of US society. Shot over the course of three years, her feature-length documentary debut captures the complex emotional landscape of 12-year-old Mikal, who lives with his parents in a run-down motel – one of many “flophouses” that have become tragic symbols of a broken system. The pic, which world-premiered in the DOX:AWARD competition of this year’s CPH:DOX, scooped a Special Mention (see the news).

Strømdahl’s camera enters the family’s cramped, chaotic world with quiet observational power. Her presence is never felt, allowing her subjects to move with apparent freedom as their daily struggles unfold. The result is a deeply personal and painful viewing experience, particularly at moments of confrontation, self-harm and emotional collapse.

Mikal’s parents, Tonya and Jason, are caught in the grip of addiction. Despite their clear love for their son, they are unable to break free from the cycle of alcohol abuse and poverty that shapes their reality. We witness tensions rising steadily, especially after the film’s halfway point.

The many ethical questions surrounding documentaries of this kind – for instance, where the line between observation and exploitation can become blurred – are inevitable and justified. Yet Flophouse America never feels like poverty porn. Instead, it shows with honesty and nuance how systemic neglect, economic precarity and lack of mental-health support corrode the foundations of family life. In this bleak environment, Strømdahl finds fragile moments of tenderness and resilience – most notably in Mikal himself, a boy forced to mature far too early, but still clinging to hope.

Jason emerges as a particularly compelling figure. Though less consumed by addiction than Tonya, he is lucid enough to grasp the family’s descent and does his best – albeit imperfectly – to support Mikal. Meanwhile, a gentle feline presence, Mikal’s beloved cat, becomes a quiet witness to the household’s daily turmoil, adding a poetic note of calm amidst the chaos.

Strømdahl’s photographic eye is evident throughout: her compositions are precise and her timing instinctive. She eschews sentimentality, yet never loses sight of the deep humanity at the core of her subjects. Her portrayal of Mikal’s inner world – his pain, his strength and his dreams of a life beyond the motel walls – anchors the film, transforming it into a rare and moving coming-of-age tale born of adversity, and speaking to the many “Mikals” enduring similar troubled circumstances.

Now that Mikal has turned 18 and has given his approval, Flophouse America stands not only as a striking creative achievement, but also as a testament to his journey. Dedicated to vulnerable children worldwide, it is a powerful cry for attention – and compassion.

Flophouse America is a Norwegian-Dutch-US co-production led by Fri Film, with Basalt Film serving as a co-producer. Sales agent Lightdox is in charge of its international rights.