MOPE
105:00 BLOCK 1 OPENING NIGHT
Tragic Comedy (USA) 2019
Director: Lucas Heyne
Written by: Lucas Heyne & Zack Newkirk
Produced by: Kelly Hayes
Starring: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Kelly Sry, Brian Huskey, Max Adler, Tonya Cornelisse & David Arquette
East Coast Premiere
SYNOPSIS: In the multibillion-dollar world of pornography, the term mope refers to a low-level, wannabe porn actor who perhaps isn’t quite well endowed or otherwise attractive enough to achieve the success granted to “bigger-name” porn stars. Within the seedy underbelly of the industry, mopes are the lowest of the low, hanging around sets and taking on menial jobs with aspirations of being called upon to participate in a colossal gang-bang scene that could (but most likely won’t) lead to their big break.Stephen Clancy Hill and Herbert Wong, respectively known by their porn alter egos Steve Driver and Tom Dong, were two such mopes—real-life best friends attempting to live the impossible porno dream, but the blurred line between reality and delusion ultimately sent them both tumbling down a path of destruction. First-time feature director Lucas Heyne crawls right under the skin of this grimy landscape, crafting a melancholy portrait of two misguided souls seeking love and acceptance, same as the rest of us. Believe it or not - this is a true story. WARNING: ADULT CONTENT.
DIRECTOR BIO: Lucas Heyne is from Humboldt County, California, and attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He began directing videos for Switchfoot, Fu Manchu, Lil’ Romeo, and Spose. He went on to direct commercials for Burger King and Fox Sports, just to name a few. Heyne has written scripts for Dimension Films and the Walt Becker Company. He is currently working on a biopic of shock rocker Gigi Allin.