Joel Kim Booster wrote and starred in the movie Fire island, which was released on Hulu in June.
The modern-day romantic comedy was inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which follows a group of friends who set out to have a week-long summer vacation at Fire Island Pines. The film centers around their annual gathering, but their bond is tested and pushed to the limit. The characters are queer and represent various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The bond between the characters resembles a family dynamic similar to the Bennet family of Austen’s novel. The group faces social scrutiny in various scenes throughout the film due to the group’s class, race, appearance, and mannerisms, which differ from others who are vacationing on the island. The humor and comedic timing within the movie blend well with the drama and moments of complexity.
Fire Island incorporates various moments and layers that allow the overall storyline to flow. The film alludes to the underlying feeling of wanting to belong and the perceived notions connected to the island, which creates that perception. The comedic aspects allow these situations to be processed as it pertains to related experiences and trauma. The Knockturnal spoke with the cast regarding the film and story development.
