Movies by Alex Israel

Alex Israel is a uniquely LA-centric filmmaker who brings the vibrant, sun-soaked aesthetic of his hometown to the big screen. Drawing on his background as a multimedia artist, Israel crafts films that are as visually striking as they are emotionally resonant. In his 2017 feature debut, SPF-18, Israel paints a dreamy portrait of teenage life in Malibu, complete with sun-dappled beaches, neon-hued sunsets, and the trappings of coastal California cool. But beneath the stylish surface lies a poignant coming-of-age story, one that grapples with the universal joys and complexities of young love. Israel's keen eye for bold, vibrant imagery - honed through his work as a painter of abstract gradients and self-portraits - infuses every frame, lending SPF-18 a wholly distinctive visual identity. As an artist working across various media, Israel brings a unique, multidisciplinary approach to his filmmaking. His movies exist at the intersection of painting, sculpture, and cinema, blending technical craft with a strong conceptual foundation. With SPF-18, Israel has announced himself as a bold new voice in American independent film, one unafraid to experiment with form and style in service of a deeply personal, humanistic storytelling.