Mike Alexander

Birth : , Scotland

History

Mike Alexander is a multi-award-winning veteran not just in the field of music films and series but also in documentary and drama, Glasgow-based Pelicula Films Ltd which he founded in 1972 being Scotland’s “oldest established” independent production company. Working in long close association with writer and producer Dougla Eadie, his music credits include Transatlantic Sessions, Down Home with Aly Bain in North America, Beyond The Maypole, Aly Meets The Cajuns, The Jazz Apple and Follow The Moonstone. Outside of music, the Alexander/Eadie collaborations include: the Gaelic drama, As An Eilean (“From The Island”) winner of best feature film award at the 1993 Festival of the Americas in Montevideo, Uruguay; Gramsci – Everything That Concerns People, a dramatised portrait of the great Italian socialist writer; Haston – A Life In The Mountains, the life and times of the legendary Dougal Haston, enfant terrible of Scottish climbing; and Fishing For Poetry, with Billy Connolly, Aly Bain and Andrew Greig celebrating the centenary of the birth of the great Scottish poet, Norman MacCaig, by trekking high into the hills of MacCaig’s beloved Assynt to find and fish his favourite trout loch.

Movies

Interrogation of a Highland Lass
Interrogation of a Highland Lass
Director
Docu-drama about the taking of the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey on Christmas morning of 1950 by a band of Scottish nationalist. The Stone of Scone is a holy relic (supposed to have been Jacob's Pillow when he dreamt of the Ladder to Heaven) on which the old kings of Scotland were crowned. It was stolen by Edward Longshanks - of Braveheart fame - in 1296 and had remained at the Abbey since.
Other Voices, Too: An Evening With Nanci Griffith
Other Voices, Too: An Evening With Nanci Griffith
Producer
An Evening With Nanci Griffith and The Blue Moon Orchestra filmed at the Armadillo in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 26 & 27, 1998.
Other Voices, Too: An Evening With Nanci Griffith
Other Voices, Too: An Evening With Nanci Griffith
Director
An Evening With Nanci Griffith and The Blue Moon Orchestra filmed at the Armadillo in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 26 & 27, 1998.
Retying the Knot: The Incredible String Band
Retying the Knot: The Incredible String Band
Director
A profile of the Hippest band of the 60's and 70's as they prepare for a reunion gig.
Cajun Country
Cajun Country
Director
"This video takes you for a trip through the Cajun countryside, visiting some of the finest Cajun musicians and learning about the beautiful and fascinating culture. Featuring: Queen Ida, Boozoo Chavis, Savoy-Doucet Band, Dewey Balfa and more."
Mairi Mhor
Mairi Mhor
Director
In 1871, 'tired of the speakers of English', Mairi Mhor began writing resistance songs in Gaelic, protesting at the displacement of the Scottish Highland and Island folk by the Southern landlords. Unjustly imprisoned in Inverness at the age of 51, she expresses her anger in song, discovering a talent for music; these songs became central to the identity of the region and are still sung today. The achingly beautiful landscape of Skye, and the music it inspired, provide a haunting canvas for this valuable piece of historical research.
As an Eilean
As an Eilean
Producer
The story, which is set in a small village on a remote Scottish Island, centres around the gifted Callum who is in his final year at school and preparing to go to University in Aberdeen on the mainland. He receives private tuition from Charles McAllister a former Headmaster at the village school who has become bitter since the death of his wife. McAllister coaches Callum in French and Poetry. When he is not coaching Callum he is compiling a photo biography of the characters in the village. The wedding of the young village nurse is to form the centre piece of his biography. The story traces the life of characters in the village as recorded by McAllister, but seen through the eyes of Callum. It is the story of the life, loves and motivators in the life of young man in the process of breaking free from the place where he grew up.
As an Eilean
As an Eilean
Director
The story, which is set in a small village on a remote Scottish Island, centres around the gifted Callum who is in his final year at school and preparing to go to University in Aberdeen on the mainland. He receives private tuition from Charles McAllister a former Headmaster at the village school who has become bitter since the death of his wife. McAllister coaches Callum in French and Poetry. When he is not coaching Callum he is compiling a photo biography of the characters in the village. The wedding of the young village nurse is to form the centre piece of his biography. The story traces the life of characters in the village as recorded by McAllister, but seen through the eyes of Callum. It is the story of the life, loves and motivators in the life of young man in the process of breaking free from the place where he grew up.
Beyond the Maypole
Beyond the Maypole
Director
Zimbabwean musician, Biggie Tempo, talks to a number of UK folk musicians about their work and their views on traditional music.
Dreaming
Dreaming
Director
Unemployed Ayrshire teenager Sammy Nelson is a dreamer, using his vivid imagination to conjure up a gallery of heroes. But far from simply providing an escape from grim reality, his dreams become weapons to confront it. With appearances by Deacon Blue. Billy Connolly and Marianne Faithful
Gramsci: Everything that Concerns People
Gramsci: Everything that Concerns People
Director
A drama documentary on the life and work of Italian communist Antonio Gramsci. Produced for Channel 4 in 1987, it was directed by the Scottish filmmaker Mike Alexander and starred John Sessions in scenes from Gramsci's life. Brian Cox provided the narration.
Dunfermline
Dunfermline
Director
A portrait of the past and present of the city of Dunfermline, Scotland's ancient capital.
The Bodyguard
The Bodyguard
Director
1969 short film
The Bodyguard
The Bodyguard
1969 short film