Hollywood star Antonio Banderas took the opportunity at his Dubai appearance on Monday to speak about the need for the entertainment industry to adapt.
“I’ve done 92 movies, from films for kids to using my voice for animated films and from adventure movies, musicals to horror,” he said. “But in the history of movies, I find that people are normally afraid about things [they are not used to]. It happened with silent movies getting sound. When formats change, people always get scared. But it’s important to evolve. Because the more the market, the more the possibilities.”
Banderas, 55, was speaking at an event by pay-tv network OSN to announce its line-up for 2016. He was joined at the event by Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams.
“I’ve been here [in Dubai] for one full day and it’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to get out into the sand dunes,” the 18-year-old gushed.
Banderas was in agreement.
“I was here in 2008 for the first time. Dubai was more like a movie than reality. But last night, when I was coming from the airport, I realised that it was very real. The city was coming true and that it wasn’t a fantasy anymore. It’s like there’s soul.”
Williams, who plays the headstrong Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, said the popularity of the series was overwhelming.
“But it wasn’t always like this. It didn’t happen over night. I’ve been lucky enough to have this experience grow gradually,” said Williams who joined the show in 2011.
She called her character Arya Stark a “breathe of fresh air”.
“She is a young character who makes a lot of grown up decisions. It’s very refreshing to have a child character who isn’t just the daughter of someone or playing just a cute role. It’s nice to see a real young person portrayed in a way people can relate to and make her own decisions. They may not be the best decisions but that’s the way it goes.
“I’m lucky to get such an amazing female role at a very young age,” she added. “And I intend to keep it that way for the rest of my career.”
Banderas, best known internationally for his Mask of Zorro films, was asked about his most memorable roles.
He said all the seven movies he did with acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, who gave him his break, were special.
“But the Zorro movies took me around the world,” he said. “He’s such a happy character. He was a superhero without any special powers. So he’s special.”
Banderas and Williams will also attend a red carpet event hosted by OSN later in the evening.
