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ALEX D. DA SILVA Alex has been working in the film industry since 1989. After receiving his Master Degree in Film in São Paulo, Brazil, he worked as a Producer, Cinematographer and Director in commercials and non-commercial projects shot in the U.S. and Latin America. He produced and directed the award winning short film “O Cantor de Samba”. In 2002 he directed and shot the PBS documentary “Digital Lives” which tells the story of immigrant entrepreneurs in the post boom Silicon Valley. He lives in Oakland, CA and has broken in his first pair of really good running shoes on this project. Director's Statement What most attracts me to working on documentaries is the unpredictability of the story and one’s ability to connect with the subject. When Justine told me about Runners High, I jumped right in. I found it to be a contemporary, complex, and challenging story to tell. Our common vision from the beginning was to become an integral part of the teens experience in the program. To accomplish this, we made careful choices about aesthetics, attitude, and timing. The approach really paid off as we gained a unique view into their personal lives, hopes, and difficulties. We filmed almost everyday for five months and always worked to stay true to our vision and commitment. As filmmakers, we are challenged to create compelling and universal narratives that hold true to the story and reality of our individual subjects. Although we didn’t run the 26.2 miles with them, Justine and I came away feeling as if we had. Like the teens, we are forever transformed by this experience.
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