Alex Parkinson // Director & Writer

About Alex

Alex is a British director and writer with over two decades of experience crafting powerful stories that explore human resilience in extraordinary circumstances. His documentary work includes the Emmy-nominated “Lucy, the Human Chimp” (2021), which chronicles psychologist Janis Carter’s remarkable efforts to reintegrate a chimpanzee raised as a human back into the wild. In 2019, he co-directed the acclaimed documentary “Last Breath,” capturing the harrowing true story of commercial diver Chris Lemons, who survived being stranded 300 feet underwater in the North Sea with minimal oxygen. The documentary’s success on Netflix and BBC led Alex to direct a narrative feature adaptation starring Finn Cole, Woody Harrelson, and Simu Liu, released in February 2025. 

His seamless transition between documentary and narrative formats demonstrates his versatility and commitment to authentic storytelling.

About Last Breath

Last Breath, originally a documentary co-directed by Alex, has evolved into a powerful cinematic franchise that spans both documentary and narrative filmmaking. The original 2019 documentary earned critical acclaim for its immersive underwater footage and intense storytelling, securing theatrical distribution before streaming on major platforms. The 2025 narrative adaptation, directed by Parkinson and featuring a stellar cast including Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu, transforms the true story of Chris Lemons’ 2012 diving accident into a gripping thriller that maintains the documentary’s commitment to authenticity while amplifying the dramatic elements. This project exemplifies Parkinson’s unique ability to tell compelling human stories across different filmmaking formats.