Alex Karpovsky Returns to Directing With Low-Budget Film Riptides
The Girls actor and director debuted his first feature in 14 years at a festival in Memphis.
By Tunde Bailey ·
Alex Karpovsky is back behind the camera after a 14 year hiatus from directing feature films. The return comes at a time of renewed activity for the former Girls star, who is currently 51.
His new film, Riptides, premiered at the New/Next Film Festival last month. It is scheduled to screen at the Indie Memphis Festival on Saturday evening. The movie is set in Sayulita, Mexico, and stars Steve Little, Dylan Baker, and Bojana Novakovic.
Karpovsky attributes his long gap between projects to exhaustion and a lack of motivation. He directed five ultra low budget features prior to 2012, including two that released the same year Girls premiered. He explained that making those films required him to wear many hats, which depleted him. He also spent the following decade developing six television shows that stalled or aired without creating a new creative chapter.
The shift back to filmmaking began about two years ago when he found more free time and renewed enthusiasm. He chose to write a script that could be produced with limited funds. This allowed him to maintain agency while larger projects incubated. He noted that technical advancements have made low budget filmmaking easier, citing improvements in cameras and lighting that cost less than previous generations of equipment.
The plot of Riptides centers on Toby, an American beach bum, and Paul, a self help author. A tragedy creates an opportunity for Toby to find meaning, leading him and Paul’s daughter Michelle down a strange path. Karpovsky described the narrative as a blend of absurd comedy and grounded drama. He aimed to explore the tension between happiness and meaning through a story influenced by the rise of social media influencers.
The timing of the release coincides with news that Girls will return as a limited series. Karpovsky has not been officially cast in the revival, though he remains open to the possibility. He acknowledged that the industry has changed, noting that audiences are more volatile and critical than they were in 2012. He said this environment requires more fortitude from filmmakers who must endure immediate public feedback.
