Chris Rock is opening up about directing his daughter Zahra in his new film Misty Green, revealing the important lesson he hoped to teach her through their experience working together.
The 61-year-old actor and filmmaker premiered Misty Green at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, returning to the director’s chair for the first time since Top Five in 2014.
Rock’s younger daughter, Zahra, whom he shares with ex-wife Malaak Compton-Rock, stars in the film alongside Rosalind Eleazar, Anna Kendrick, Topher Grace, Daniel Kaluuya and Adam Driver.
Speaking to PEOPLE at the PEOPLE/Entertainment Weekly and Shutterstock studio, Rock reflected on his childhood days with his father in Brooklyn, N.Y., “It was fun to direct her,” adding, “I used to work with my dad a lot. My dad drove a truck...but occasionally I would have to watch somebody tell my dad what to do, and that kind of stuck with me. So it was nice for my daughter to come in this atmosphere where her dad’s the boss.”
Zahra plays a casting receptionist in Misty Green, which stars Eleazar, 48, as a talented actress struggling to revive her stalled career.
She spoke to the outlet on the red carpet ahead of the film’s September 12 premiere, calling the experience of being directed by her father “amazing” and saying she was thrilled when he offered her the role while she was still in college.
Following the film’s September 13 premiere, Rock said during a Q&A that he is taking a deeper approach to his work at this stage of life.
“I’m 61 and...I realize there’s more work behind me than in front of me. I’m just getting it in,” he said, joking that a tap-dance musical could be next as he continues “going deeper as a person.”
Misty Green is slated to premiere at the New York Film Festival before it hits theaters October 9.
The Toronto International Film Festival runs through September 20.
