X Films

von Alex Cox

British Cinema's oldest enfant terrible'. So remarked Philip French of Alex Cox, a description its recipient fully approves of.

Alex Cox is the genuine article - a radical, international, independent filmmaker, who is also a good writer, insightful commentator on contemporary cinema and an expert critic of the power of Hollywood who grew up with a passion for the pictures. This book has as its centre the filmmaking autobiography of a fine director, the journey through all his major films and how they were made, including his new film, now in production. Cox takes us to varied locations, including the US, Mexico, and Nicaragua, where he made 'Walker' with the cooperation of the Sandinista government. His book is full of fresh ideas and rare insights into many films of different genres and the people he has worked with, including such greats as Dennis Potter and Harry Dean Stanton.

As well as being the confessions of a radical filmmaker, 'X Films' is also the most readable working manual yet for the independent filmmaker. Enfant terrible he may be, but Alex Cox is also ahead of the game and is a pioneer and promoter of new forms of filmmaking for the cultural revolutionaries of the 21st century - visual, visceral but interactive, with multiple narrative possibilities.