Monica Strømdahl’s documentary, "Flophouse America", unearths the harsh reality of poverty-stricken America. The documentary, filmed in the shabby motels known as flophouses that serve as shelter for those unable to afford more dignified housing, offers a raw portrayal of how poverty affects many Americans. Its centerpiece is Mikal's story which Strømdahl only decided to share via documentary after realizing her initial medium - photography - didn't do it justice.

Strømdahl's use of unfiltered digital photography enhances the starkness of the subject matter. As the film unfolds, it introduces us to the distressing statistics of child poverty, abuse, and alcoholism in the U.S. using minimalistic text graphics. The protagonist, Mikal, then steps in front of the camera to voice his personal experience living under these circumstances.

The three-year long filming began when Mikal was 11, showcasing his daily life cohabiting one room with his parents and a pet cat. The film preserves the gloomy ambience of their living conditions -- sleeping arrangements, bathroom-doubled-as-kitchen filled with dirty dishes, and the claustrophobic proximity affecting their lives. The film artfully drags the mundane into the dramatic spotlight; the simple act of buying shoes becomes a drawn-out narrative that ends in disappointment and an underlying sentiment of déjà vu.

The documentary aptly captures the volatility of Mikal's home environment, with frequent invectives, aggressive confrontations, and the intertwining issues of alcoholism and neglected responsibilities. The camera work heightens the feelings of constraint and oppression that are an integral part of Mikal's life.

The dynamic between Mikal and his mother takes center stage, with his father playing a largely ineffective peacekeeper. Mikal's pleas to his parents to abstain from alcohol resonate deeply, capturing raw emotions beyond his years. The trajectory of their lives is depicted without any intrusion, showcasing the best and worst moments of their lives.

Monica Strømdahl, despite her hidden presence, leaves a significant imprint on the film. Some scenes feel uncomfortably real, highlighting the filmmaker's skill at creating authentic dialogues and interactions. Many dialogues gravitate towards self-reflection, exploring the failure to achieve the American dream.

"Flophouse America", though challenging to market outside film festivals, warrants a wider audience for its honest portrayal of a largely unnoticed issue in America. The documentary starkly reveals the ubiquity of poverty, often-existing unbeknownst to those in more affluent circumstances.