‘The Floaters’ Director Talks Her ‘Crazy Jewish’ Ode To Summer Camp And ‘The Breakfast Club’

‘The Floaters’ poster art

Courtesy of Brainstorm Media

Director Rachel Israel never attended Jewish summer camp growing up, but you wouldn’t know it by watching her latest feature film, The Floaters.

Opening in New York theaters July 10 ahead of a wider July 17 rollout (click here for more release info), the movie is a joyous celebration of youth and community through the incredible specificity of a traditional Jewish summer camp—from Ga-Ga to, the kitchen mashgiach, to Israeli folk dancing.

“There are films like My Big Fat Geek Wedding or Crazy Rich Asians, which are such authentic, deep experiences of a [specific] culture that had wide appeal,” Israel told me over a recent Zoom call. “I feel like if the emotional architecture is working, if you understand what’s going on between two characters in a scene emotionally, then the rest clicks into place and makes sense.”

While she missed out on a formative camp-going experience as a kid, Israel simply could not resist the Floaters screenplay from Brent Hoff, Andra Gordon, and Amelia Brain (based on a story by Hoff, Becky Korman, Lily Korman, and Shai Korman).

“When I read the script, I really loved how crazy Jewish the world was,” Israel recalled. “I really love worlds that are so specific. I actually never went to summer camp, but I really took to what I felt the film was saying about Jewish community.”

GLOW alum Jackie Tohn leads the story as Nomi, a struggling musician unceremoniously kicked out of her own rock band. With no job prospects on the horizon, she accepts a last-minute offer from her best friend, Mara (Resident Alien’s Sarah Podemski), who now serves as director of their old sleepaway haunt, Camp Daveed. As counselor, Nomi is responsible for the titular floaters, a small group of misfits who refuse to take part in the usual summer activities.

“To me, being Jewish has always [been about embracing] dialogue and disagreement,” Israel said. “So, I appreciated what the film was saying about that identity. [I also thought it was] a fun summer movie that could connect to audiences, regardless of their background.”

The diverse collection of non-conformist youngsters—Jonah (Judah Lewis), Lindsey (Nina Bloomgarden), Wetspot (Jake Ryan), Tal (Thani Brant), Tums (Jim Kaplan), One-Nut (Jacob Moskovitz), and a pair of Dhalias (Bekah Zornosa and Bekah Zornosa)—allowed the director to explore what Judaism means to different people.

“Something very special about being Jewish, is that it’s hard to pin down what it is,” Israel mused. “Many people just have a cultural attachment to it. Some people feel nothing at different periods and then come to find attachment and meaning in it. So, what it is to be a Jew is a question that’s debated and, in my mind, there should be many doors in, many different types of attachments and identities acknowledged. I wanted people to be able to see themselves on the screen as Jews, however they identify as a Jew.”

Because the religious and cultural elements were so important to the narrative, Israel made an effort to hire a predominantly Jewish cast that also includes Seth Green (Family Guy), Aya Cash (The Boys), Steve Guttenberg (Diner), and Jonathan Silverman (Weekend at Bernie’s).

“I’m not strictly religious about authentic casting … but for this project, it’s something I wanted to do,” she explained. “And so, I’m very proud that we have a full Jewish cast, with the exception of a couple of non-Jewish characters. And by doing that, we are able to show the diversity of the Jewish world.”

She also wanted to characters either defying or dimensionalizing cultural stereotypes. The two Dhalias, for instance, fall into Jewish American Princess territory, “but have more depth than we typically see of that type,” Israel noted. “It’s very important that that we break molds.”

In terms of tone, The Floaters is Wet Hot American Summer meets The Breakfast Club, with the latter serving as a major influence on Israel. Indeed, John Hughes’ coming-of-age classic was definitely something I was thinking about,” said the director. “I still cry when I watch it. It’s very emotional and not afraid to be emotional. It’s [also] hilarious, [but] the humor is grounded in character. Not all the humor holds up in films from the ‘80s, but that one lasts.”

Another cinematic influence was Dirty Dancing, which famously takes place at a Borscht Belt resort in the Catskills.

“[It’s] a great coming-of-age summer movie, and actually a very Jewish movie,” Israel added. “You don’t first think about that because it works so well as a film. But it has that joy and freedom and potential for transformation that I think we feel in the summertime…when we’re not shvitzing in 100-degree weather.”

Nomi and her crew of outcasts find a true sense of purpose and belonging when Daniel (Green), the arrogant director of nearby Camp Barak, reignites an old rivalry. With a much-needed $30,000 on the line, Camp Daveed can’t afford to lose in the upcoming Maccabiah Games, which will test both the athletic and creative prowess of the two institutions. Being the rebel that she is, Nomi encourages the kids to express themselves by crafting a divisive performance with Old Testament underpinnings.

“One question I brought to the film was, ‘How can a community of strong-minded individuals hold together while still nurturing those individuals to be who they are and potentially conflict greatly?’” Israel said. “In the Jewish world, we really disagree with each other in many ways, and yet we somehow keep holding together.”

For true authenticity, production took place at an actual Jewish summer camp, the Catskills-based Camp Tel Yehuda, which has operated in Barryville, New York since 1948. Sibling producers Becky Korman, Lily Korman, and Shai Korman apparently have a deep connection to the place.

“Their parents met there, they went there, they send their kids there,” Israel shared. “So, there was this great access to the community, and actual staff appear as background [extras]. I think that feeling of camp seeped into all of us.”

Had she attended camp back in the day, Israel has no doubts she’d be a floater.

“I probably would have not wanted to participate in a lot of the activities,” she concluded. “but would have found my people in the nooks and crannies of the place.”