The Natural
Alex Jovy's “White Bits” (2002), the tightly-edited short film that is our Net Movies selection in Issue 4, appears to be the work
of a director with greater experience. 
Schooled in Switzerland and
the United Kingdom and originally trained as a lawyer, Jovy is apparently a natural.
His first short film, "Holiday Romance” (to be featured in an upcoming PingRay
issue), received a 1998 Oscar nomination. Jovy had no previous directing
experience when he undertook the production. It was written in a day by
screenwriter Clive Hopkins, based on a story Hopkins was told about someone having their
keys stolen and their house burgled. Hopkins decided to explore what would happen if the keys had been planted. Clive showed
the script to a director, JJ Keith, who showed it to Jovy.
Like “Holiday Romance,” Jovy’s 2005 short film, "Two's Company," offers a twist on an old story. In this romantic comedy, a
woman cheats on her blind lover.
Jovy’s first feature film, 
"Sorted" (2000), about a young lawyer investigating his brother’s death, got mixed reviews.
Set in the London club scene, it drew upon Jovy’s background as a DJ and club promoter.
His current project is a feature based on Persian leader
Cyrus the Great (circa 500 BC), who, according to the director, was "a
kind of Robin Hood, a champion of human rights who drew up a kind of bill of
rights for his people called the Cylinder of Cyrus, which is now in the British
Museum.”
Among other things, Cyrus freed the slaves in his empire,
tolerated all religions (still a major accomplishment), and ordered his
governors to treat his people fairly (ditto). Whatever the dramatic or
political strengths the film may offer, it has become well-known as the “most
expensive independent film” ever made in Britain. Its private backers allegedly
include the Sultan of Brunei.
Comments