Alexander Freeman (born June 19,1987) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter with cerebral palsy.[1][2] [3] He is dedicated to producing and directing documentaries, feature films, and series that bring visibility to those otherwise ignored by society and reinforce themes of morals and ethics.
Alexander Freeman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Alexander James Freeman June 19, 1987 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Film Production (Directing), Emerson College, 2014 |
| Occupation(s) | Film Director, Producer, and Screenwriter |
| Known for | The Last Taboo, My Own Normal |
| Partner | Orina Umansky Freeman |
| Children | Maya Ella Freeman |
| Website | https://www.outcast-productions.com/ |
Early life and education
editFreeman was born in 1987 in Newton, Massachusetts.[4] He was interested in filmmaking from an early age and began to use his parents' video camera to create stories with his brother and a friend, including a makeshift version of Titanic in Brookline, Massachusetts.[1] His interest in the craft further developed during his time at Brookline High School, where he participated in the theatre program and took a life-changing video production class during his junior year.[1]
After completing high school, he worked for City Year in Boston, producing a recruitment film, before beginning his college education at Fitchburg State University in 2007.[1] A year later, he transferred to UMass Amherst due to dissatisfaction with his living situation.[1] Eventually, he found his niche at Emerson College, where he excelled in the film program and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Production where he specialized in Directing.[5]
Career
editFreeman's early works include a narrative adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, which screened at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in 2008, and the documentary I Care: A Documentary About Independent Living, which gained international recognition and led to his selection for the Very Special Arts/AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Apprenticeship program.[1] His film Meet Annabelle was also featured at several film festivals in 2011 and 2012, such as the Picture This Film Festival and the Arlington International Film Festival.[1]
In 2012, Freeman made his directing dabut with the documentary The Last Taboo, which explored the sexual lives of people with physical disabilities.[6][7] Two years later, The HSC Foundation honoured Freeman with the National Advocates in Disability Award for his advocacy work.[5]
In 2017, Freeman's documentary The Wounds We Cannot See chronicled Nancy Ross's struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction.[5] He received the Best Director (Documentary Feature) award at the 2016 Independent Film Festival Awards in Los Angeles for the film.[8] The film also won Best Documentary Feature at the Long Beach Indie International Film, Media, and Music Festival.[8]
In 2024, Freeman’s documentary My Own Normal premiered at Independent Film Festival Boston. The film delves into Freeman’s personal life, chronicling his journey towards fatherhood and the emotional challenges he faced, particularly the difficult reaction of his parents to the pregnancy of his daughter Maya. Renowned for its intimate and heartfelt narrative, the documentary explores themes of relationships, love, courage, family, acceptance, resilience, having a career, caregiving, and living within the boundaries of government assistance with a disability. Kevin S. Bright, known for his work as an executive producer on the hit television series Friends, served as an executive producer. Oscar winner Chris Cooper and Marianne Leone Cooper also served as executive producers on this poignant film. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]
Freeman is also the founder of Outcast Productions.[8]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Poet | Writer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2007 | Young Heroes | Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2008 | The Raven | Director, Co-Editor | Short film |
| 2009 | The Tell-Tale Heart | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2010 | Meet Annabelle | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2011 | The Power of a Dollar | Writer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2011 | Faceless Beauty | Writer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2012 | Does Your Uncle Know? | Writer, Producer, Director, Co-Editor | Short film |
| 2013 | I Care: A Documentary About Independent Living | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Co-Director, Editor | Documentary |
| 2013 | The Last Taboo | Writer, Co-Producer, Director | Documentary |
| 2013 | Seven Days | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2013 | A Life Imperfect | Co-Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Co-Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2013 | Love and Hope of the Next Generation | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2014 | One Day At A Time | Co-Writer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2014 | Thank You | Writer, Executive Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2014 | Dark Into Light | Writer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2014 | Barren | Executive Producer | Short film |
| 2014 | Look At Me: Michael's Story | Writer, Editor | Short film |
| 2014 | Jesse Hanson: These Words | Writer, Director, Editor | Music Video |
| 2015 | The Bag | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2015 | A Little Hope | Writer, Executive Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2015 | Depression: The Silent Killer PSA | Writer, Editor | Short film |
| 2016 | Going Up | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2017 | The Wounds We Cannot See | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Co-Editor | Documentary |
| 2017 | What Jamal Saw | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Co-Editor | Short film |
| 2019 | The Last Straw | Co-Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Co-Director, Co-Editor | Short film |
| 2019 | Blind Eye to Differences Kissed by Love | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Editor | Short film |
| 2021 | The Afterlife Office | Creator, Co-Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Camera Operator, Co-Editor | Web Series |
| 2022 | Making A Better Future | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Camera Operator, Co-Editor | Documentary |
| 2022 | The Next Breath | Writer, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Camera Operator, Co-Editor | Documentary |
| 2024 | My Own Normal | Writer, Producer, Director | Documentary |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Sex And Disability: Boston Filmmaker Turns Lens On 'The Last Taboo'". WBUR News. July 20, 2012.
- ^ Bolton-Fasman, Judy. "Wounds We Cannot See: A New Film About What Ails Us and Heals Us". Jewish Boston.
- ^ "Alexander Freeman | Producer, Director, Writer". IMDb. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Alexander Freeman". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ a b c "Filmmaker: "We Need to Open Up the Door" to People with Disabilities". Emerson Today. June 28, 2017.
- ^ "Ex-Madam Uses Her Sex Skills to Run 'Brothel' for Disabled". ABC News.
- ^ Poulisse, Adam (February 17, 2013). "Love, intimacy in disabled community at forefront amid recognition of acclaimed movies". The Berkshire Eagle.
- ^ a b c Clossey, Erin (May 28, 2019). "Four Alumni to Be Honored for Professional Achievement June 1". Emerson Today.
- ^ Ertischek, David (30 April 2024). "Emerson-Directed Films Aplenty at IFFBoston". Emerson Today. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Onanian, Nora (11 November 2023). "Interview: Filmmaker Alexander Freeman is "Defying the Odds"". Independent Magazine. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Arceneaux, Bill. "Special Coverage: The 2024 San Francisco Documentary Festival, Part 1". www.moviegoing.rocks. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Grady, Pam. "6 films you can't miss at SF DocFest". Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Propes, Richard. "Movie Review: My Own Normal". The Independent Critic. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Jeffrey M., Anderson (30 May 2024). "SF DocFest returns this week with locals in lineup". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ LePire, Bobby (6 May 2024). "My Own Normal Featured, Reviews Film Threat". Film Threat. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Wong, Peter (3 June 2024). "Wrap-up Reviews From SF DocFest 2024". Beyond Chron. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Kakadelis, Tina. ""My Own Normal" - Film Review". Beyond the Cinerama Dome. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Kermode, Jennie. "My Own Normal (2024) Movie Review from Eye for Film". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2024.