Bahrain inspires Hollywood director

Manama : Hollywood actor and director Giancarlo Esposito, who’s best known for his role as ‘Gustavo’ in the American series ‘Breaking Bad’ said he sees great potential for film making in Bahrain.

Impressed by the development and infrastructure here, Esposito said Bahrain has the resources and the talent to create a film institution that could propel the Gulf’s film making industry to new heights. 

According to him investment in filmmaking is an investment in talent and economy. 

“The growth here seems to be pretty amazing. I look around and see the buildings, the constructions - all very new and futuristic. 

“The impressive World Trade Centre here; I want to know who the architect was. 

“These are great new ideas that have come from people who have inspiration and who have courage. 

“It is not easy - it takes courage to do things that are different. It takes courage to support young people who have new ideas, but may not have experience,” he told DT News.

“When I was at a mosque here, my friend was going to take a photo besides the columns of the mosque. I immediately noticed the shadow there and decided to make a film. I felt like, I must make a movie in this country as the light is so very complimentary to filmmakers,” he said.

“My inspiration from the light really gave me ideas. To be inspired by a people and by a country is sending love to them and trying to figure out how dream can come true. 

“If India has Bollywood, there is no reason that this region would not be able to develop a film institute and start to create an atmosphere where you invite filmmakers to come and teach directors and filmmakers. And then soon you will be able to create some of your own programmes that you would own,” Esposito said.

He said government support and private sector support are necessary to develop the film making industry. 

“It seems to me that you are going that way. So why not allow yourselves that possibility. If you seek it and build it, it will come. It  just takes the right key elements - the government support, private support, and then you will be up and running. 

“I think this is a way to become much more independent, and it’s a way to expand economically. When you are looking to do something new, you are investing in your economy and in younger people who have ideas to make things happen.  Be positive about what could happen in this country, great things could happen here,” he said.