American Honey

About American Honey

American Honey, released in 2016, is a British-American road film, primarily set in the Midwest and the Southern United States. Directed by Andrea Arnold, the film's unique narrative follows the journey of Star (Sasha Lane), a teenage girl who escapes her chaotic life to join a traveling sales crew. These misfit teenagers traverse the country selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door, living hard and partying harder. The film uncovers the pursuit of freedom but at the cost of dangerous uncertainties.

Making / Production

"American Honey" was directed by Andrea Arnold, with Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy, Pouya Shahbazian, Alice Weinberg, Thomas Benski, and Lucas Ochoa serving as producers. Robbie Ryan was in charge of the cinematography, and the film was edited by Joe Bini. In terms of production companies, it was a joint venture between Parts and Labor, Pulse Films, and Man Down Pictures.

Actors

• Sasha Lane as Star - Sasha's Star is a rebellious, free-spirited teenager seeking escape from her troubled life. Star's vulnerability and strength is expertly portrayed by Lane.
• Shia LaBeouf as Jake - As the crew's top seller and right-hand man to the crew's manager, Jake is a captivating yet manipulative figure. LaBeouf brings charm and edge to the role.
• Riley Keough as Krystal - Krystal, the group's hard-edged manager, is portrayed by Keough as a ruthless leader with her own set of rules.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Star actress Sasha Lane was actually discovered on a beach during Spring Break.
• The film was inspired by a 2007 New York Times article about magazine crews.
• Most of the "mag crew" in the film are untrained actors who were found on the streets or beaches.

Awards

American Honey won several awards, including the Prix du Jury at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for Independent Spirit Awards for Best Director, Best Female Lead (Sasha Lane), Best Supporting Male (Shia LaBeouf) and Best Cinematography.

Quotes

• "Don't fall in love with me." - Jake
• "I feel like I'm made of a million pieces, and all those pieces are gone." - Star
• "Dream, baby, dream." - Krystal

Music, Soundtrack

• "God's Whisper" by Raury
• "Dream Baby Dream" by Bruce Springsteen
• "Copperhead Road" by Steve Earle
• "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star
• "American Honey" by Lady Antebellum (The film's title is derived from this song)