SIMON REX
Mill Valley Film Festival is delighted to honor San Francisco native Simon Rex with the MVFF Award for his breakthrough, career-defining moment as an actor. His work can be seen at MVFF both in Red Rocket and in a supporting role in Fabio Frey’s My Dead Dad, confirming that Simon Rex continues to captivate audiences through dynamic and unconventional roles across the multimedia landscape.
Rex’s performance in filmmaker Sean Baker’s Red Rocket is breathtaking. His high energy, audacious, tour de force rendition of a unique American hustler leaves an indelible impression, bringing the part a charisma that is nigh-on irresistible. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to a rapturous response, followed by the U.S Premiere at theTelluride Film Festival.
Our Spotlight program features an onstage conversation with Simon Rex and a screening of Red Rocket.
GET TICKETS
Saturday, October 9, 6:30pm, Smith Rafael Film Center
Program: $20 Member | $25 General
Film + Reception: $30 Member | $35 General
RED ROCKET
US 2021, 128 min Director Sean Baker
Filmmaker Sean Baker continues the hot streak he started with indie smashes Tangerine and The Florida Project (MVFF, 2017) with this engrossing tragicomedy about a washed-up former porn actor who returns home to Texas. Simon Rex gives a revelatory performance as Mikey, who years ago followed dreams of stardom to L.A., and now pretends he’s a bigger deal than he actually was. Part character study, part social commentary—the contentious runup to the 2016 presidential election serves as the backdrop—Red Rocket is a brilliantly unflinching portrait of a hustler. It’s a testament to Rex’s sneaky charm that you almost root for this callous schemer. He’s matched by newcomer Suzanna Son, electric as a flirtatious teen Mikey tries to seduce. After its triumphant premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Baker’s latest exploration of American life is ready to introduce audiences to one of the year’s most fascinating scoundrels. You may despise Mikey, but you’ll never forget him. –Tim Grierson
SPONSORED BY GRUBER FAMILY FOUNDATION
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