Kanye West to Shoot Short Film in the Middle East
Hip-hop star Kanye West is looking to add yet another lucrative profession to his resume: Filmmaker.
The rapper has been in talks with some Middle Eastern millionaires to invest in an upcoming film project of his. West, 34, is currently developing a 30-minute art film to be shot in the Persian Gulf, MSN reported.
Production for the film will begin in March.
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West sent his creative scouts to the United Arab Emirates and to Doha, Qatar, in an attempt to establish "filming and financing opportunities," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"They did a full round of meetings, speaking with various government agencies, institutions and private investors. They toured each area and met with all the major players," a source told the magazine.
"He conceived the story, which is set in the Gulf. It's supposed to showcase the beauty of the region, a piece that's culturally sensitive and embraces the customs and traditions of the region."
Details on the film have not been disclosed. One source told The Observer plot details were not being shared "out of respect for Kanye's ambition."
"His reps seemed genuinely enthusiastic about creating a piece which highlights the culture accurately," the source added.
"There's a lot of preconceived notions and stereotypes about Emiratis and Qataris, which Westerners often play up. They discussed how Kanye is looking to bridge the cultural divide and break misconceptions."
Sources close to the rapper said he's seeking local talent for the piece, theurbandaily.com reported.
This is not the first time Kanye has diverted from his day job.
West debuted his women's fashion line, DW Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week in October 2011. West's line, which received support from the likes of DSquared2 and the Olsen twins, opened to mostly negative reviews.
"Mr. West, the rapper, did not disappoint, if only in terms of creating a scene… There was one good-looking pair of color-blocked pants in blue and coral, but it was obvious that most of the clothes suffered from a poor fit," Eric Wilson of the New York Times said.
Kanye, never one to accept criticism, constructive or not, blasted critics in a statement.
"This is my first collection. Please be easy. Please give me a chance to grow. This is not some celebrity s-. I don't f- with celebrities. I f- with the creatives in this room, the amazing people who spend every day of their life trying to make the world a more beautiful place."
Let's hope the film is palatable, for the sake of the critics.
