Drive, David Alexanian Said

This filmmaker likes things moving fast. And with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman along for the ride, Africa’s just around the bend.

By John Clarke, Jr.

“My mother was terrified of motorcycles,” recounts moviemaker David Alexanian, who, as a boy growing up in Pennsylvania, snuck out to ride dirt bikes against her stern warnings. His disobedience paid off: Today, as head of Elixir Films (along with sister Alexis), he has injected that childhood passion into a series of motorcycle films.

His first biking expedition, the Bravo network’s critically acclaimed documentary series Long Way Round (co-produced and directed with friend Russ Malkin in 2004) found actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman (son of Deliverance director John Boorman) putting pedal to metal on a 20,000-mile motorcycle odyssey around the globe.

Now Alexanian is revving up to do another documentary, Long Way Down, with the same crew throttling through the heart of Africa. Listening to Ewan McGregor rhapsodize about their global trek from London to New York City the “long way ’round,” it’s no wonder they’re eager to get on with their next adventure, from Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa. “Some of my favorite moments with Dave on our trip were spent cruising around Mongolia in his 4x4, listening to sounds, not talking about work at all,” recounts McGregor. “He seeks out fun, and has a hunger for experiencing the world we live in.” And rarer still in Hollywood, he’s a man of his word, according to McGregor. “The business world, agents, and lawyers are baffled by this because most people operate from fear; and there’s Dave saying what he means, and doing what he said he would do.”

Next up on his to-do list: Alexanian is producing Prankstar, a dark comedy set for release later this year about the loneliness of fleeting fame that’s written, directed by, and starring Tom Green.

BLACKBOOK: What is it about a road trip documentary that captivates viewers?

DAVID ALEXANIAN: Having no idea what will happen—that helps. The legitimacy of the experience adds to what you are trying to create. In Long Way Round, we had no idea what the next day would bring, which leant itself to a certain nervousness and drama. We were sleeping on the road, we didn’t know if there were going to be grizzly bears, who are so hungry after hibernation they’re not afraid to go after people and trucks—and they did!

BB: In Long Way Round, you also spent time riding on Russia’s infamous Road of Bones. What was that like?

DA: When Stalin’s political prisoners were making this road, the man in charge of the prison camp would place a full glass of vodka on his dashboard and drive the road. If any spilled, he’d kill every tenth prisoner. So, it’s spooky. There are incredible monuments that line the road, which is really treacherous. And it’s undeniable that there’s a presence. There was an eerie feeling that you were going through a cemetery, essentially.

BB: And now you’re taking the same crew to Africa. What do you think about the increasing vogue of Africa among celebrities of late?

DA: Anything that can be done to raise the profile of Africa is not a bad thing. From the time I’ve spent there, I think it’s important to demystify how inaccessible it is or let people know it isn’t as dangerous as they may think it is. I say this before I actually go! [laughs] Hopefully we’ll survive.

BB: You’re based in both Los Angeles and New York. What draws you to each place?

DA: Los Angeles is often accused of being all artifice—noxious and superficial. But I’m drawn to its open excitability—people go there to make certain things happen. L.A. is quite a dark place in some ways, but there’s a willingness to try new things. New York is like molten lava running through the streets. With the energy in New York, you can’t help but be inspired. What happens in New York in two days takes three weeks in Los Angeles—it’s a much slower burn in L.A. London is cynical about both places, so I end up spending some time there, too.

Photography by Cheryl Dunn