Big Money Mike: A Documentary Film

A Legend, 40 years in the making, looks to beat the odds one last time...

Project type: Nonfiction Feature
Project status: Production
Director/Producer: Rah Johnson
Cinematographer: James Kwan
Executive Producer: Joshua Melendez
Executive Producer: Charles Ashley III

Email:
[email protected]

Website: bigmoneymikesmith.com
Instagram: @bigmoneymikefilm
 
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Logline

At 52, he achieved the miraculous becoming the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown. Now, 7 years later, Mike Smith is still racing and breaking records every time he sits in the saddle, begging the question: Does this Legend of Horse Racing have one more miracle in him?

Synopsis

In 1965, Dexter, NM was a town so small the census didn’t bother to keep population numbers. This smallest of towns would bear one of the greatest horse jockeys in a generation who would go on to win the biggest races in the sport, from the Kentucky Derby to the Dubai World Cup, collecting the coveted Triple Crown along the way. Big Money Mike: A Documentary Film asks the question, can this legend of the sport, at 59 years old, outrun time to find glory on the race track one last time.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Rah Johnson — Director/Producer
Rah Johnson is a writer/director with projects spanning documentary film to narrative television, most notably as a writer on AppleTV’s upcoming Sci-Fi epic adaptation of William Gibson’s Neuromancer. A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and graduate of the University of New Mexico, Rah has directed and produced a variety of projects focused on promoting the stories and talent found throughout the Southwest.

James Kwan — Cinematographer
James Kwan is a Cinematographer and visual artist from Albuquerque, New Mexico. His notable credits include the award winning Independent Feature Sunlight as well as contributions to various interactive media exhibitions at Meow Wolf (Santa Fe, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles).

Joshua Melendez — Executive Producer
Joshua Melendez is a long-time film, music, & live event producer based in Albuquerque with contacts & working relationships spanning entertainment & professional sports.

Charles Ashley III — Executive Producer
Charles Ashley is a multi-hyphenate Entrepreneur and Public Servant who has held positions within Bernalillo County’s Film Office as well as Albuquerque’s Office of Business Development.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact [email protected].