Alex: A Passion for Life (Channel 4)
Alex Stobbs was an overnight phenomenon, shooting to international prominence following transmission of 2008’s critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary, A Boy Called Alex.
It told his extraordinary story as an Eton music scholar and cystic fibrosis sufferer. Immediately after transmission, offers of professional work flooded in, as did several marriage proposals! Now aged 19, a choral scholar at King's College, Cambridge, and a member of its world-famous choir, this new film follows Alex's dramatic and event-filled transition from boy to man.
Determined to live as normal a student life as possible, complete with girlfriends, late nights and major socialising, Alex is also set on fulfilling his lifelong ambition: to conduct Bach's three hour masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion, with a major orchestra and some of the country's top soloists. But by pushing himself to the limit, Alex risks getting an infection that could be his last.
If you have been inspired by Alex and would like to make a donation to his chosen charity, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, click here.
Reviews
It's hard to find words to describe how inspiring this film is. You'll just have to watch it. The Times
A heart-warming and poignant reminder that life is for living … an extraordinary new film. Daily Mail
A wonderful, life-affirming film. Radio Times, Documentary of the Week
★★★★★ Time Out
At once remarkable and unbearable to watch. The Independent
Humbling and compulsive viewing Western Morning News
Inspiring … Daily Telegraph
Credits
Director: Paddy Wivell
Producers: Stephen Walker and Sally George
Broadcast: Channel 4 (8/10/2009)
Clips