UAE 'can make big strides in cinema'

Abu Dhabi: The infusion of gifted story-tellers and creative talent can help the film industry in the UAE make big strides, says James N. Gianopulos, chairman and chief executive officer of Fox Filmed Entertainment.

"Looking at the scale of development and infrastructure projects being undertaken in Abu Dhabi, one can safely say the cinema industry's needs aren't anywhere as demanding," Gianopulos told Gulf News during an exclusive interview.

Gianopulos, who was in town to attend The Circle, the second annual international film conference launched by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage on Monday, said he was fascinated by the rich history and culture of the UAE.

Admitting that a lifetime of travel around the world had not prepared him for the vibrant cultural scene he encountered in the UAE, he said there is a "tremendous opportunity to bring it to the world".

Gianopulos, a Greek by birth who has lived all his life in the US, said cinema would serve as a powerful tool to entertain and educate.

"The purpose of coming to the UAE is to begin a dialogue about film-making, I have just arrived in the country and I am trying to understand what it takes to make good cinema here," he said.

The most important thing, according to him, is encouraging creative talent and "people who understand the language of films whether by creative inspiration or experience or both" or as he puts it plainly, "people who understand how to make a film".