Xingu is an independent production company, meaning that it raises rather than puts up the cash needed for a film. “It was hard to raise money for such a risky proposition,” says Alex. “Three times we managed to find backers; three times they pulled out just before we started filming.” “Writing the script was a painstaking business,” he continues. “You could say there were hundreds of versions; you could say it was one long continuing process over a year.”

The money came through, a strong supporting cast (Chazz Palmentieri, Shia LaBouef, Rosario Dawson) were hired, and they finally started shooting, on location in Queens. “People were shouting from their windows ‘that’s not how it happened’.” Production and post production went well. The film went to the Sundown Festival and won two awards, including best director for Dito Montiel. “That was one of the proudest moments in my life,” says Alex. “I was proud that I had had a part in launching what could be a great career.”

Reviews have been mixed, but the critics who loved it were the right sort of critics. “It went down even better in the British press,” says Alex. “Only the Mail gave it a bad review.” I tell him that this is, perhaps, a blessing in disguise. We chat for a while, about Alex’s reasons for coming to Lewes (‘my wife and I stopped here when we were walking the South Downs Way, and loved it immediately)” and the movie business. I even elevator-pitch an idea to him, for a film part-based in town. Who knows? Maybe five years down the line... AL