Will Smith Encourages Saudi Filmmakers to Embrace Universal Visual Language: ‘As Soon as People Have to Read a Subtitle, There’s a Little Bit of Disconnect’
variety.comBen Croll Reflecting on his three decades atop the global box office, superstar Will Smith honed in on a winning formula: When you want to conquer international markets, keeping taciturn is often key. “As soon as people have to read a subtitle or translate, there’s a little bit of disconnect,” says Smith. “So generally, if you can find non-dialogue ways [to transmit an emotional beat], they translate more globally.
In terms of action, in terms of comedy, and in terms of the delivery of emotion, I’m always looking for the non-dialogue way to deliver the most critical parts.” Smith shared his insights at this year’s Saudi Film Confex, a Riyadh-based trade confab where the Oscar-winning star was guest of honor.
And beyond the fact that Smith’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” has recently become Saudi Arabia’s top-grossing film of all time, the actor’s presence in Riyadh held wider auspice.
After decades in the dark, the Saudi film industry is more than making up for lost time, with the local production, distribution and exhibition sectors all seeing rapid growth.
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