MAX JOURDAN
writer/producer/director
www.maxjourdan.com
[email protected]
+ 44 7778 31 6699
I am a creative and versatile producer/director with documentary and drama experience. I
have made films all over the world in a variety of genres and I shoot most of my own work.
Credits with: BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Channel 5, TLC, National Geographic, History Channel,
Discovery, Al Jazeera, ARTE.
I have excellent people skills, can make quick editorial decisions and have a flair for teasing
out exciting drama. I can organize large crews and motivate the most difficult contributors.
I am particularly adept at dealing with sensitive access, working in extreme environments
and I have a penchant for challenging stories; from prison chain gangs and jungle
mercenaries to crossing the Pacific Ocean on a boat made from recycled plastic bottles...
At the heart of my films lies an intimate relationship with my characters. Driven by a
passion for storytelling, I have recently turned my attention to writing and directing drama.
A graduate from the Royal College of Art, I am also a professional photographer.
I am fluent in French and Spanish.
CREDITS & EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
writer/producer/director
DOCU-DRAMA
PASSPORT TO MURDER
Sky Vision for Discovery ID. Exec. Stuart Rose. 2016
Gripping true-crime stories far from home. 4x 60 minutes.
BRANDED CONTENT CREDITS
FAMILY PLANNING IN THE CONGO DRC
Writing, producing and directing short drama TV spots aimed at changing attitudes towards
family planning in Kinshasa and the DRC.
https://vimeo.com/132321758
https://vimeo.com/132321088
Development Media International. Exec. Roy Head. 2015.
DRAMA CREDITS
writer/producer/director
DRIFT
A 40 minutes drama feature written, produced & directed by Max Jourdan.
On a sun-drenched Mediterranean island, Marry-Ann realizes her affair with a married
journalist is doomed. Finding solace in a friendship with a criminal-minded fisherman leads
to tragedy...
http://vimeo.com/maxjourdan/drift
FRACTURED
A 20 minutes short written, produced & directed by Max Jourdan.
Juliet is recovering from a serious car accident but is impelled to seek revenge on the
woman she feels is responsible for her pain and anguish. Her dark journey leads to an
unexpected redemption…
https://vimeo.com/97838979
In Development
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THE VISITATION
Feature film project. A gritty psychological thriller set in London during the great plague of
1665…
https://vimeo.com/134823706
password visitation
https://vimeo.com/141782907
THE LORD GOD BIRD
Feature film project adapted by Max Jourdan from The Lord God Bird by American novelist,
Russell Hill.
An intimate story of obsession, violence and ecological loss tracing a young couple’s
journey into the American wilderness in search of an extinct bird.
http://www.thelordgodbirdthemovie.com/
DROWNING IN AIR
A nearly silent story about exile and alienation set in a dystopian near-future. Loosely
based on the Little Mermaid fable, it follows a woman’s dramatic journey to fulfill her
dreams…
https://vimeo.com/121233022
DOCUMENTARY CREDITS
writer/producer/director
THE BOY WITH THE BIGGEST HANDS
Barcroft Productions for Channel 5. Exec. Caspar Norman. 2015.
Kaleem is only eight-year-old, but his hands are 30 centimeters long and weigh 2.5 kilos
each. Simple tasks, like feeding and washing himself, are impossible. He is also an outcast
as family members and the villagers where he lives in India see him as a devil child. As his
hands continue to grow, Kaleem’s future is bleak. But there is hope as a world-renowned
surgeon is offering to treat Kaleem’s condition…
JODIE MARSH ON WOMEN WHO PAY FOR SEX
ThumbsUp Productions for Discovery/TLC UK. Exec. Cheryl Price. 2014.
JODIE MARSH explores emerging sexual trends and delves into some of the latest female
erotic pursuits; focusing on a rising tide of empowered women who are boldly seeking new
forms of love and pleasure and are not afraid to pay for it. A journey from the UK’s male
stripper scene, to the world’s largest only-for-women male escort service in the USA via the
beaches of Jamaica where throngs of foreign women go in search of the ‘big bamboo’...
THE FIRST GREAT ESCAPE
Back2Back for Channel 5 & National Geographic Channel. Exec. Benedetta Pinelli. 2014.
During the First World War a group of Allied officers attempted the impossible – to escape
from Holzminden, Germany’s most secure POW camp. They spent 9 months risking their
lives to dig a 55 metre tunnel with nothing more than spoons and improvised tools.
Using drama reconstructions, CGI and interviews this film tells their amazing story.
THE ALPS MURDERS
Rize USA for Channel 4. Exec. Sheldon Lazarus. 2013.
In September 2012, members of a British Iraqi family and a local cyclist were killed in the
French Alps. The family’s two children miraculously survived and are the only witnesses to
the brutal murders. A year on the crime remains unsolved and conspiracy theories abound.
This film goes behind the headlines using drama reconstruction and exclusive access to
prosecutors and key individuals to trace the major steps of the investigation.
UFO: CONSPIRACY ROAD TRIP
Renegade Pictures for BBC3. Exec. Harry Lansdown and Alan Hayling. 2012.
Comedian Andrew Maxwell takes five young British ‘ufologists’ on a USA road trip to explore
iconic UFO locations. The group believes UFO’s are really alien spacecraft whose existence
is being covered up by western governments, one member even claims to have been
abducted by ET’s. Can Maxwell persuade them otherwise?
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GOLD RUSH 2
RAW TV for Discovery Channel. Exec. Dimitri Doganis & Sam Maynard. 2011.
I produced, directed and shot in the harsh Alaskan wilderness across this award-winning
series. A group of guys down on their luck harness their hopes and dreams and mine for
gold…
AMERICA - THE STORY OF US
Nutopia for History Channel. Exec. Ben Goold. 2010.
Directing second unit photography across this award-winning series focusing on the people
and events that shaped American history.
THE VOYAGE OF THE PLASTIKI
Renegade Pictures for National Geographic Channel. Exec. Alan Hayling. 2010.
I spent five months at sea filming aboard the Plastiki, a boat built out of recycled plastic
bottles. Sailing 8500 miles across the Pacific Ocean I documented all the trials and
tribulations of our voyage from San Francisco to Australia. 2 x 1 hour.
THE LION RANGER
Renegade Pictures for National Geographic WILD. Exec. Livia Simoka. 2010.
Directing across this 3 part series following Kevin Richardson, a self-taught lion whisperer
with an astonishing ability to interact with Africa’s most feared predators.
LAS VEGAS COMES TO CHINA
Renegade Pictures for National Geographic Channel. Exec. Alex Cooke. 2008.
Character-led films following the attempts of American billionaire, Sheldon Adelson to build
and run the world's largest casino in Communist China. 2x 60 mins.
TOURETTES REWIRED
Bellwether Media for Channel 5/ Discovery. Exec. Malcolm Neaum. 2006.
Observational film following the lives of 3 people suffering from Tourette's syndrome as
they undergo radical new brain surgery.
THE MAN WHO BOUGHT A RIVER
Max Jourdan Productions for Al Jazeera UK. 2006.
Water wars in India. Current affairs observational series.
THE COUPLE WITH 27 CHILDREN
ATIT Productions for Channel 5 & Discovery. Exec. Chris Fouracre. 2006.
A couple in the USA have adopted 27 mentally handicapped children. A moving
observational documentary about growing up with special needs.
MARRIED TO THE MONSTER
CTVC for ITV. Exec. Nina Davies. 2006.
Retracing the police hunt and eventual capture of the "M25" rapist, Antoni Imiela. This
1hour film explores Imiela’s ongoing relationship with his wife who has chosen to stand by
her man.
THE WOMAN WITH HALF A BODY
Tiger Aspect for Channel 5 & Discovery. 2005.
A birth defect has left Rose Siggins with only half a body; but she is determined to lead a
‘normal life’ and defying medical advice is about to have a second baby.
NEIGHBORHOOD TALES
Max Jourdan Productions for Channel 4. 2003.
Series of visually creative and character-led shorts celebrating black history month.
RENEGADE FIDDLER
Idéale Audience for ARTE. Exec. Hélène Le Coeur 2003.
Maverick French violinist, Gilles Apap goes on a musical journey from California to the
banks of the Ganges in India, collaborating with other musicians along the way. Winner of
the Unesco Festival Music Award. 2003.
LOSING THE PLOT
Max Jourdan Productions for Channel 4. 2002.
Series of short films celebrating the weird and wonderful world of garden allotments.
3
THE TOUGHEST SHERIFF IN AMERICA
Maximum Films for Channel 5. 2001.
A feature length observational film focusing on the brutal killing of an inmate in Sheriff Joe
Arpaio's notorious Arizona jail. Examining how the sheriff’s policies and cruel treatment of
prisoners, like the introduction of female chain gangs, are seducing American voters.
75 minutes DVD release.
THE ENGLISH PASSEGIATA
Fishercat BBC 2. 2000. Exec. Tim Carter.
The art of strolling. From the faded grandeur of Italian piazzas to the streets of Newcastle.
RUBÉN GONZÁLEZ
Max Jourdan Productions. 2000.
Observational portrait of the late Cuban musician and composer.
DUCHAMPS
Corporate promotional film for fashion label Duchamps.
Executive Producer Credits
NOLLYWOOD
Max Jourdan Productions for Al Jazeera. 2006.
Observational series set around the Nigerian film industry. Divas, dwarves, directors and
problems with the religious authorities.
LIBERIA STORIES
Max Jourdan productions for Al Jazeera. 2006.
Investigative series focusing on Liberia: President Johnson-Sirleaf, child labour in
Firestone's rubber plantations, ex-rebels controlling illegal mining and rubber tapping.
Presented by award winning journalist, Juliana Ruhfus.
Producer/Presenter Credits
AMERICA´S PRIVATE WAR
BBC 2 This World. Exec. Karen O’Connor. 2004.
I present and investigate the use of private contractors in America’s war against cocaine in
Colombia.
Education
1990-1992 Master of Arts (M.A Photography)
Royal College of Art, London
1986-1990 Bachelor of Arts with Honours (B.A English & French)
Sussex University
Other Skills/Additional Information
I am a professional photographer. Fluent in French and Spanish. Experienced in managing
and directing edits, I have excellent script writing and story telling skills.
Referees
. Alan Hayling (Renegade Pictures) [email protected]
. Sam Maynard (Raw TV) [email protected]
. Nina Davies, executive producer [email protected]
Languages: Fluent French. Fluent Spanish
Working Visas: EU & USA
Hostile environment training (BBC)
Licences
Full clean British Driving Licence (including motorcycle)
RYA day skipper & powerboat
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BSAC Diving
5