Meet Arthur Bastos | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arthur Bastos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arthur, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I don’t typically get nervous. I’m cool under the pressure of a first date, or performing on a stage in front of a live audience, or even sitting across from a CEO of a major corporation in a job interview. I also don’t typically get scared. Scary movies have never been a big deal, the dark meant nothing but a time for rest and heights were only scary if you had nothing to hold on to. But in July of 2008 I felt both of those feelings for the first time in my life. I grew up very close with my grandparents who lived across the street from me in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Every opportunity my twin sister and I got we went over to grandma’s house where we could do whatever we wanted. My grandmother shared her love for cinema with me from a young age. Every weekend when a new picture would come out she would take me to the fanciest theater in Rio. We would sit on reclining chairs and order popcorn and pão de queijo. We would eat until we had to unbutton our pants and slowly drag ourselves back to the car. From watching Woody and the gang fight against Lotso the hugging bear, to Micah and Katie being haunted by a spirit, I immersed myself into the screen regardless. As a big comic book fan, the summer of 2008 was particularly memorable as Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight would finally make its way to the big screen. As usual, my grandmother picked me up from school on a Friday afternoon and we made our way to the theater. I laid down on the reclining chair and munched on a large bag of popcorn. My excitement grew as the DC logo came upon the screen. Cinematographer Wally Pfister’s camera work grasped my attention even further than what I could imagine. A wide shot from around eight-hundred meters away from a tall glass building and around thirty floors high flew closer and closer as Hans Zimmer’s score merged in the background. A subtle violin chord grew larger and larger transforming itself into an almost metallic tone. It felt like a single piece of yarn was holding an entire building – it was ready to collapse. I was hooked. I studied the screen attempting to identify which one of the masked thug’s was the clown prince of crime himself. Nothing in that moment could take my eyes off the screen. Six minutes into the film the energy in that cold, dark theater shifted. One of the thugs in a clown mask revealed himself on screen: a young man wearing dry white paint on his face. Black eyeshadow surrounded his eyes like two volcano pits-ready to explode. Red lipstick covered his mouth and knife scars grew deeper and deeper from his lips to his cheekbones. His lime green hair looked as if it hadn’t been washed in months and his yellow teeth were drained from fighting cigarette stains. And for the first time in my life, I felt scared. I wasn’t sure why or how this was happening but as the film continued my fear was only overshadowed by my anxiety. His presence was of a predator. Hunting. Patiently waiting for the right moment to attack. And at that moment, I was his prey. No matter how much I searched the screen I could not find Heath. All I could see was that menacing pale-faced monster with nothing but disdain and chaos behind its eyes. Heath was no longer, from that moment forward it was only the Joker. And that is when the improbable happened: I pleaded to my grandmother to leave as I could no longer sustain the anxiety and anarchy in which Heath’s performance imposed on me. It wasn’t until 2014, six years later, in which I finally finished the film. I attempted to watch it many times during those six years but I could never get myself to finish it. In the summer prior to my freshman year of highschool, I drew the line. I felt like a coward. A high schooler who was scared of a character in a movie. It could not stand. On a rainy Sunday August afternoon in Paris, I finally got myself to finish the film. Once the credits started rolling I realized a couple of things: Yes, I had plenty of reason to be scared of Heath as his performance was horrifying, and how did a character brought to life by a brilliant actor living under imaginary circumstances intrigue me so much. The literal, physical, and conscious representation of chaos transferred itself from his performance on screen onto my body. How was that possible? That is when I understood the power that a performance can have on its audience and that Heath wasn’t performing… he was living. It wasn’t only his performance that captivated my attention but the idea that perhaps I could also transcend two dimensional space into life like Heath Ledger did. That is when I realized I wanted to be an actor, that I wanted to tell stories for a living, that I wanted to pursue a creative career, that I wanted to be an artist. I wasn’t sure how or when but I knew that one day I would also be able to transcend my performances from screen or stage into life and eventually develop my performances into simply living. I will perpetually hunt for my artistic endeavors to evoke that same feeling of living to others just as Heath’s performance did to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I recently produced, directed, wrote and starred in a solo show about a moment in the life of Marlon Brando. The show, A Search for Stanley, tells the story of a young Marlon Brando preparing to audition for A Streetcar Named Desire. I feel a deep connection to Marlon, both in the roles he played, I recently got to play Mark Antony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, as Marlon did, and in his desire to inspire change. Marlon is part of a very exclusive club of individuals whose impact expands beyond their field. He utilized his platform to raise awareness and provoke change through social activism by championing civil rights and Native American rights. His outspoken advocacy and bold actions brought significant attention to social injustices, inspiring others to join the cause for equality and human rights. His advocacy expands beyond his personal life to his professional one. Marlon meticulously chose films that provoked social causes in order to inspire change by portraying complex characters and narratives that highlighted issues such as racial injustice, civil rights, and the struggles of marginalized communities. I believe it is the duty of those who have such large platforms to utilize their resources to provoke change, and that is what I aim to achieve through my art. I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a country known for its vibrant culture and diversity, into a big Brazilian family. My citizenship expands beyond Brazil as I am also Portuguese. Growing up, my family moved around a lot, exposing me to different cultures and providing me the ability to learn different languages. English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French have been a cornerstone of my identity. Language is more than just a means of communication; it’s a gateway to understanding different cultures and perspectives. Each language I speak opens up a new world of literature, art, and history, allowing me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds on a deeper level. Living in various countries exposed me to a multitude of traditions and ways of life. In the United States, I experienced a melting pot of cultures and the power of storytelling in film and media. France taught me the elegance of expression through art and literature, while Spain’s passionate and vibrant culture inspired my creative energy. Portugal’s balance of tradition and modernity provided a unique perspective on blending the old with the new. But the heart of my art is filled with the exuberance and perseverance of Brazilian people, who use art to overcome and find happiness. As an artist, my goal is to represent all these cultures in my work. I believe that my diverse background gives me a unique lens through which I can tell more inclusive stories. Ultimately, my pursuit of a creative career is driven by a deep-seated desire to make a difference through storytelling. My multicultural upbringing has provided me with a unique lens through which to view the world, and I am committed to using this perspective to tell stories that are specific in their cultural context. I am currently in the preproduction of a picture I wrote, that I hope does exactly that. The film highlights these different cultures and languages and how similar they are despite their apparent differences. Heading into production in the fall, I aspire for the film to guide audiences into understanding these different nations and advocate for more diversity in hollywood.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Having a twin sister has meant sharing every moment, milestone, and memory from our lives – creating an unbreakable bond that few can understand. We’ve grown up side by side, experiencing the world together and supporting each other through every challenge and triumph. She often visits me in Los Angeles and I always make sure to take her to my favorite spots. The Academy Museum is one of my favorite places in the city to dive into film history, watch classics, and immerse myself in different exhibitions. Along with the museum, the New Beverly Cinema is another indispensable visit. Catching a late night double feature in 35mm is quite the thrill. Another must visit for me is The Grove. Either reading by the wooden chairs hidden in the back of the third floor at Barnes & Noble or eating feijoada at the Brazilian restaurant in the market, it’s the perfect place to relax and indulge in authentic Brazilian food. When she visits we hit all of my favorite spots and make sure we leave the happiest place on earth as our final destination: Disneyland. Going to Disneyland with my sister is like stepping back into our magic filled childhoods greatly influenced by the Disney films we grew up watching together. The park’s enchanting atmosphere allows us to fully engulf ourselves in imagination and fantasy, rekindling the wonder and joy we felt as kids. It’s the perfect place for us to relive those cherished memories and create new ones amidst the magical stories and characters we’ve always loved.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first shout-out I want to give is to my twin sister, Julia. She has supported me my entire life, literally. From acting in plays together as kids, creating skits to perform for our family, to acting in musicals she has been the pillar of support to my artistic career. She is always the first person I share my projects with, from reading my own scripts to helping me analyze others. She is there to set up my self-tapes and read lines with me. Her guidance is constant and honest; she isn’t afraid to call me out when necessary, ensuring I grow as an artist and as a person. Her support and honesty makes me strive for excellence in every aspect of my life. The second shout-out I want to give is to Warren Beatty. Warren’s films are a huge source of inspiration for me. Reds, Shampoo, Heaven Can Wait, and Bulworth are films I constantly revisit as I learn not only about filmmaking but about life itself. Warren’s films compel viewers to question profound themes such as history, politics, love, religion, and existentialism. Though I may not know Warren personally, his work reveals his convictions and the values he stands for. His ability to intertwine intimate storytelling with broader societal questions exemplifies what the best art should be: deeply personal. Each film is as impactful as it is personal, and they resonate with me deeply.

Website: https://abastos1999.wixsite.com/website

Image Credits
https://lewinephoto.com