Julia Fox Stars in New Indie Satire ‘The Trainer’

New York, NY – Julia Fox and a star-studded cast are set to premiere their indie satire titled ‘The Trainer’ at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 7. Directed by Tony Kaye and co-written by Vito Schnabel, the film explores the absurd world of celebrity and entrepreneurship.

‘The Trainer’ follows Jack Flex, played by Schnabel, a personal trainer who passionately pitches his eccentric invention, a weighted helmet named ‘the Heavy Hat.’ This satirical dramedy highlights Jack’s relentless pursuit to persuade Hollywood figures to invest in his bizarre fitness concept.

Schnabel, who initially envisioned himself as the director, found himself starring in the project after Kaye expressed interest in directing. ‘I laughed and said, ‘You’re out of your mind,” Schnabel recalled of their first meeting, where Kaye insisted he play the lead role.

Kaye recognized Schnabel’s potential early on. He noted, ‘He had a character in his mind, and he just played straight into my sensibilities.’ Schnabel shared his fears about acting, stating, ‘I felt like I had no business even trying to do it, to be honest. I was scared.’

Julia Fox plays Bee, a receptionist that supports Jack and develops a romantic interest in him. Schnabel and Fox have known each other since their teenage years in New York. Kaye humorously recounted calling Schnabel during his run to insist they cast Fox, to which Schnabel enthusiastically agreed moments later.

The film also features appearances from notable personalities including Gayle King, Finn O’Connell, and even Lenny Kravitz, who was filmed at his home during the pandemic. Schnabel emphasized that the rapid assembly of such a talented cast was a testament to their enthusiasm for working with Kaye.

Finneas O'Connell, known for his musical collaborations, brought additional talent to the team, earning praise from Kaye. ‘I’m a student of Finneas and Billie,’ Kaye stated, expressing gratitude for O’Connell’s involvement.

Despite modest compensation and tight filming schedules, the cast rallied behind the project. Schnabel reflected on the experience, stating, ‘Nobody got paid a lot of money to be there. It was such an incredible experience for me.’ With its premiere approaching, ‘The Trainer’ promises to deliver a humorous yet critical look at modern celebrity culture.