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Internationally-acclaimed producer anddirector Joseph Tito will be shining the spotlight on Bahrain in his nextfeature film with the aim of celebrating Arab women and breaking negativestereotypes.
The multi-million dinar drama titled Danatells the tale of three generations of Bahraini women from one family, sharingtheir life experiences and showcasing how they became the women that they aretoday.
Mr Tito, 32, is the president and chiefexecutive officer of his own production company called JEO Production which hasoffices in Rome, Toronto and now in Bahrain. He is also an actor and model.While visiting a friend in Bahrain last September, Mr Tito fell in love withthe beauty of the island and strongly admired the strength of the Bahrainiwomen he was introduced to.
He said: “I’d never been to the GCC beforelet alone Bahrain but I just wanted a vacation and my Bahraini friend, who Imet during university in Toronto, advised me to come for a visit.
“Before I even arrived I had thisconception of Arab women being silent and oppressed – that basically they wouldhave no say and be covered. So coming here and meeting tons of different womenfrom different social classes I realised this stereotype was not what Arabwomen were truly about.
“That’s when the idea came and I startedthinking I needed to show this on the screen to a wider audience. I felt theneed to highlight what the Arab woman is and what they can achieve. Unlikeother films, the Bahraini women in my film will be strong.
“My main character is powerful – she startswith little but makes something out of herself. I also want to show Bahrain asa beautiful country that is very open and liberal. The truth is; the people areso open, kind and warm.”
Mr Tito was born in Italy and moved withhis family to Canada at the age of six. He has produced an array of TV showsand commercials as well as films, such as the acclaimed 2009 thriller Death ofthe Virgin, which featured at the annual Cannes Film Festival, as well as inCanada, Spain, Brazil, Portugal and Italy.
Not giving too much away, the movie startswith Dana in the 1970s, daughter of Hessa. Dana goes to university in Beirutand faces many challenges. She is there in the midst of a war; she graduateswith a degree in commerce and transforms her father’s jewellery business intoan international chain.
Scenes will flashback to Hessa, her motherin the 1930s, as she fights for her education and weds at the age of 12. Shestruggles with being thrown into adulthood so quickly and having to deal with adominant husband. Hessa overcomes the obstacles in her way and leaves behindjournals that she wrote for her grandchild Layla, the third character in themovie, to find.
Layla’s character is based on today’sgeneration. However, she is more religious and at 16 decides she wants to wearthe burkha against her mother’s wishes. She discovers her grandmother’sjournals and opens her eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.
Mr Tito wanted to make the film asauthentic as possible; in fact it is being made under the patronage of ShaikhaMai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Culture.
The film script has been written by aBahraini doctor and author, whose name has not been disclosed, for reasonsunknown. The costumes and wardrobes will also be created by Bahraini designers.
Mr Tito is currently in talks with agentsto entice a ‘Hollywood name’ to play the lead role of Dana. He still has morethan 50 character roles to fill and is starting a talent search in Bahrain.
He said during an interview at theRitz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa: “Whether it’s for a small role or aone-liner, I need as many Bahraini actors or talents to come out and audition.There is a place for everyone here, as long as they fit the character persona.
“This film revolves around Bahrain so Iwould prefer local talent but I also welcome others to come and audition. I amlooking to cast men, women and children as young as five to 70. I also havepeople flying in from Dubai and Saudi Arabia to audition.”
The casting will begin on May 17, 18 and 19but the schedule and venue is yet to be announced. They will also be casting inBeirut in July, later on in Los Angeles and then in Toronto, Canada, where heresides.
Shooting of the film in Bahrain willcommence in October for seven weeks and for one week in Beirut. Mr Tito plansto be done shooting by the end of November and then go straight into postproduction work. He aims to release Dana in March and showcase it at a leadinginternational film festival as well as staging a premiere in Bahrain.
Mr Tito added: “This film means a lot to mebecause it has been three years since the release of my last feature. I wasn’tinspired to be honest and while I turned to television and commercials I alwayswanted to create a film again. Film is my life and I love it.
“Coming to Bahrain was a true eye-openerfor me and I absolutely love it here. I was only meant to stay for a couple ofweeks and ended up staying for a month, only going back to Toronto to startwork on the treatment of the film. I returned to Bahrain at the end of Novemberlast year. I have been here ever since working on different projects whilepreparing for Dana.
“Women like Shaikha Mai have truly inspiredme. She is passionate about her work and is determined to get things done. Shehas brought art and culture into the lives of so many people in Bahrain.
“People should come out and audition. Itwill be fun. Let’s get Bahrain’s name out there.”
For those interested in auditioning for arole email info@jeoproductions.com, contact 34394517 or visithttps://m.facebook.com/dana.jeoproductions.bh?refid=24
