On Thursday February 4th, JW Marriott cordially hosted their world premiere of the short film “Two Bellman Two” at LA Live.
The film takes place in the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai and is about two bellmen who will literally stop at nothing to deliver the optimum customer service to a client who has run into some misfortune.
Director/writer/executive producer Daniel Malakai Cabrera, cast members Freida Pinto, Caine Sinclair, William Spencer and Darin Toonder, plus Global Marketing Officer for Marriott International Karin Timpone, Vice President, Global Creative + Content Marketing for Marriott International David Beebe and Senior Director & Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts Christy Donato were all in attendance. The Knockturnal was on the scene to get the scoop on the new film, interview people behind the project and enjoy the ambiance of the night.
Christy Donato
What inspired the project?
So really for Marriott in general we’re trying to connect better with the next generation of traveler and next generation luxury user in a unique way. Instead of talking to them through advertising, we wanted to create some really compelling entertainment. We’re looking to showcase the brand in a different way, the first installment was actually filmed here (JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE) and it was really well received so we decided to take it around the world, the second installment was filmed at our JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. This hotel is the tallest hotel in the world with over 15 food and beverage outlets, 1700 rooms and really Dubai is such a spectacular backdrop. So it tells the tail of two bellman as they are delivering service above and beyond in a really humorous way.
How did you figure out the right location and the hotel to be featured in the movie?
JW Marriott we have 77 current hotels in 27 countries and 35 more in the pipeline, so we have a lot of opportunities and a lot of options. So Dubai being such a spectacular city and the hotel itself being really an icon in the city was the perfect backdrop and really allowed us to tell a true cultural story in an authentic way and have a lot of fun with it.
What are your hopes for the future of Marriott being involved in the entertainment space?
What’s great about the JW brand is that it was built upon this idea of an approachable sense of luxury so we’re not afraid to have a sense of humor, we’re not afraid to try different things. We see ourselves continuing in the entertainment realm, potentially another installment of Two Bellmen Two, also experiential and events is a big part of our brand and bringing our brand to guests, to where they are, when they are most passionate about it will continue to be a good strategy for us.
Daniel Malakai Cabrera – Director, Writer, Executive Producer
What inspired the story?
A lot of it was inspired by Dubai, a lot of it was inspired by trying to get a chance to tell a story in a fun way that fits with what the brand and Dubai is looking to show people. In terms of being a luxury brand and having so many cool aspects to Dubai. The story is a chance to show off Dubai and just have fun, kick around fun ideas.
Was this idea for having it in Dubai was this based on a trip that you took?
No actually, JW asked us to do another film as we did the first one here and we ended up going with Dubai, which happens to be the tallest hotel in the world and we wanted to showcase that and show more of the culture, so we jumped at the opportunity.
How was working with Freida Pinto?
It was fun. I think she did well with our crazy. She did her thing and I’m really pleased with how it came out.
What’s next for you?
We’re looking to do a third Bellmen film and then a feature film. I’m also working on some music under my artist name Malakai. The project I’m putting out is called “Everything That Matters Is Invisible” and will be released on all the major music platforms.
Two Bellmen Two can be watched in its full entirety here:
http://twobellmen.marriott.com
