“Being half-Palestinian comes with its own challenges, especially after 9/11 and also, working in Hollywood. But denying my own father, the three siblings I have on my father's side, I would essentially be destroying my own essence. So I decided I'm going to be me.”

German-Palestinian-American filmmaker and martial artist

Lexi Alexander, born Alexandra Mirai, is a German-Palestinian-American filmmaker and martial artist. Active in the 2000s and beyond, she first worked as a stunt performer before moving into directing. She is known for her debut short film, Johnny Flynton, which earned an Academy Award nomination. She later directed Green Street, a crime drama centered on British football hooliganism, and Punisher: War Zone, an adaptation of the Marvel Comics character. Her background in karate-point fighting and kickboxing shaped an unusual path into film, and her work reflects both action training and an interest in physical conflict on screen.