Alex: A Passion for Life (Channel 4)

Alex Stobbs was an overnight phenomenon, shooting to international prominence following transmission of 2008’s critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary, A Boy Called Alex.

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It told his extraordinary story as an Eton music scholar and cystic fibrosis sufferer. Immediately after transmission, offers of professional work flooded in, as did several marriage proposals! Now aged 19, a choral scholar at King's College, Cambridge, and a member of its world-famous choir, this new film follows Alex's dramatic and event-filled transition from boy to man.

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Determined to live as normal a student life as possible, complete with girlfriends, late nights and major socialising, Alex is also set on fulfilling his lifelong ambition: to conduct Bach's three hour masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion, with a major orchestra and some of the country's top soloists. But by pushing himself to the limit, Alex risks getting an infection that could be his last.

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If you have been inspired by Alex and would like to make a donation to his chosen charity, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, click here.

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Reviews

 

It's hard to find words to describe how inspiring this film is. You'll just have to watch it.  The Times

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A heart-warming and poignant reminder that life is for living … an extraordinary new film.  Daily Mail

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A wonderful, life-affirming film.  Radio Times, Documentary of the Week

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★★★★★  Time Out

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At once remarkable and unbearable to watch.  The Independent

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Humbling and compulsive viewing   Western Morning News

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Inspiring …  Daily Telegraph

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Credits

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Director: Paddy Wivell
Producers: Stephen Walker and Sally George
Broadcast: Channel 4 (8/10/2009)

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Clips