My internet travels brought me to a new film called Knuckle Draggers that asks one question, “Have we really evolved?”

“Knuckle Draggers takes a realistic, but comic look at how the behaviors of men and women have evolved very little since the caveman times. When Ethan, the needy nice guy, is dumped by his fiancé, he asks his misogynist older brother Kyle to help him win her back. Kyle tries to teach Ethan how to act like “a real man” and to never put a woman on a pedestal. Repulsed by his brother’s harsh views on how to treat women, Ethan ignores his advice and ventures out into the dating world, where he slowly realizes that everything Kyle says seems to be true.”— Alex Ranarivelo, writer and director of Knuckle Draggers.

This new film includes actors Ross McCall, Amie Barsky, Omar Gooding, Daniele Nicolete, Brandon Olive, Jennifer Alden, Justin Baldoni, Serah D’ Laine, and Paul J. Alessi.

Paul J. Alessi plays the role of Kyle and he’s also the producer of Knuckle Draggers. This native New Yorker  is an accomplished actor with a passion for acting and producing.

Paul J. Alessi Photo by Nicholas Ng – © 2008 Aperture Photography

Here’s my interview with Paul  J. Alessi.

HIH: You were discovered while working construction. What was that like going from the construction site to being in front of a camera?

PAUL: It was really amazing and a bit surreal to see the difference in jobs and life styles.

HIH: Any fun or memorable moments you’d like to share from your experiences on the set of Boondock Saints II?

PAUL: To see my good friend Troy Duffy in his moment of glory to finally be making BDII. After shooting the first scene with Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus he said I have been waiting for this for 10 years and you don’t know how happy and excited I am.

That was a very gratifying and inspiring moment for me. He fought long and hard for what he wanted and it paid off.

HIH: Knuckle Draggers takes a realistic, but comic look at how the behaviors of men and women have evolved very little since caveman times. How evolved are you?

PAUL: Let’s just say I feel men and women will always have a different perspective on relationships. I don’t think one way of thinking is necessarily better than the other, just different. But if you ask people I know I guess they would say “not very”.

HIH: I read you love challenges and that’s why you love acting and sports. Were there any challenges for you while producing and acting in the new film Knuckle Draggers?

PAUL: Yes this was definately challenging because this was my first film that I was the sole producer along with having a lead acting role. In my past projects I have done one or the other not both. There are many challenges in making a film in general, but indie films can be especially challenging because there is minimal money. Deciding on what is most important and how to make the best of the budget is very challenging. The jobs of ten people now become the job of one.

HIH: What are your interests other than acting and producing?

PAUL: I attend film festivals and go to the movies as much as I can. I enjoy going to the gym when I can, playing and watching hockey and spending time with my family in NY.

HIH: You have played a wide range of characters. In 1995, you played the role of an AIDS victim in the award winning video Waterfalls by TLC.   Do the tough emotional parts take a toll on you?

PAUL: Yes I actually prefer playing a character that has “guts” and emotions. I like finding the character and those moments of truth and letting the emotions play out. Yes it can take a toll on you but some people say that it can also be very therapeutic.

HIH: Recently the media discussed the incident involving Christian Bale working on the set with a crew member. Do you think it has any effect on the way cast and crew work together? Has anything changed in the industry?

PAUL: No and I don’t think anything has changed. Shit happens. From what I have heard I can understand both sides but the truth be told I wasn’t there and can’t really know how or what went down to make an honest comment.

HIH: When I was in Army Boot Camp many moons ago, I realized how different men and women can be when thinking about the world. Besides doing very little evolving since caveman times how does this difference in thinking come into play in the movie Knuckle Draggers?

PAUL: It doesn’t, it’s based on that exact topic.

HIH: So what do you think about the field training tips your character Kyle, gives his brother Ethan in the film? Have you used any of those tips in real life?

PAUL: Some of Kyle’s training tips are pretty funny. Well I think almost everybody has at least felt like using Kyle’s training tips and most guys I am sure did actually try at some point or another. I won’t say I didn’t. There is a lot of validly in what Kyle says and I wouldn’t disagree with him. But bottom line is it depends on the two people in the relationship, some women get it, and some don’t.

HIH: I noticed that you’re working with Traci Lords in a film set for a 2010 release called Au Pair, Kansas. What else are you up to these days?

PAUL: Wow I can write all day about this but to keep it short I am basically finding good projects and funding so I can keep making films. Meanwhile I am promoting the ones I have finished.

To learn more about Paul J. Alessi click here for his IMDb profile and visit his official site http://www.pauljalessi.com