'Red Rocket' First Look Clip: Sean Baker's Latest Follows An All-American Hustler In Texas

It’s safe to say that director Sean Baker‘s latest film, “Red Rocket,” is one of the most anticipated of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. “The Florida Project,” Baker’s last film, premiered during the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes 2017 and quickly became one of the most talked-about films at the festival. The film received near-unanimous praise from critics and made countless top 10 lists at the end of the year.

From the looks of things, “Red Rocket” continues Baker’s empathetic study of America’s most down-and-out citizens. The film follows a washed-up male pornstar who returns to his Texas hometown from LA, much to its citizens’ chagrin. Our review from Cannes called “Red Rocket” Baker’s “most political film,” but also it’s easy to “just enjoy [it] for Baker and cinematographer Drew Daniels’ gorgeous twilight landscapes or Rex’s irresistible charismatic performance.”

Here’s the official synopsis from Cannes doesn’t tell you much.

The film stars Simon Rex as Mikey Saber, the homecoming hustler. Bree Elizabeth Elrod, Suzanna Son, and Ethan Darbone round out the main cast.

“Red Rocket” brings Baker back together with his longtime collaborator Chris Bergoch, who co-writes the film. The pair have worked together on each of Baker’s movies since 2012’s “Starlet,” with Bergoch credited as co-writer and producer on that film, “The Florida Project,” and Baker’s 2015 breakout, “Tangerine.” Drew Daniels, known for his work on 2019’s “Waves” and last year’s “The Boy From Medellín,” is the film’s cinematographer. A24 has already scooped up the US distribution rights for “Red Rocket,” so look for the film to get a theatrical release later this year.

How will Sean Baker are against the likes of Jacques Audiard, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Ashgar Farhadi as they all vie for Cannes’ top prize? Follow The Playlist’s coverage of the festival this week to find out. Meanwhile, “Red Rocket” had its world premiere at the festival on July 14. Check out the first clip from the film below.