The Aviator

Breaking from his world tour to promote his new film Invictus, where he takes on the role of Nelson Mandela, Freeman was at the airport to espouse the virtues of his new $7.4 million acquisition. “We started in Los Angeles and went to Johannesburg, then all around South Africa. We made the trip from Botswana to Dubai with just one fuel stop.

The highest we’ve had it (the jet) is at 45,000 feet and you are very aware you are at such a height. I’ve never been that high in anything!” he said just after taking pictures of the entire press conference and Chairman of Emivest Aerospace Mr Buti Saeed Al Ghandi on his camera phone.

The actor became a qualified jet pilot in 2002 at the age of 65 and joined the ranks of other celebrity pilots including John Travolta, Harrison Ford and Clint Eastwood. On why so many actors are starting to become card-carrying flyers he told City Times, “Well number one we can afford it and number two we have time. At some point your profile becomes a liability and travelling becomes difficult when your very appearance becomes an event. I travel a lot. I live in Mississippi, which is half way between New York and LA, the entertainment capitals of the US. I also have a lot of work around the world. It’s convenient and cheaper for the studios for me to fly my own plane as it would be for many other actors.”

Would he therefore be encouraging other stars to follow in the same direction and buy this particular private jet? “No! I want to keep this baby all to myself. However, private flying or general aviation is the lifeblood of many communities so I would like to encourage supporting them.”

Freeman was rumoured to be coming to Dubai to spend Christmas with his niece who was in the city. He confirmed that he would be spending the day with friends and family including Chairman Al Ghandi. As this was not his first trip to Dubai Morgan Freeman was not as eager to see the sights as the first time he arrived for the first two Dubai International Film Festivals. “My main purpose for coming here was to show-off. I’m here to see all you lovely people,” he added.

The conversation inevitably took a turn towards movies and the movie industry. A question was posed whether Freeman saw any opportunity to make a film here in the Middle East. “I’m an abject opportunist,” he said. “I will go wherever there is an opportunity to make films. You may see me anywhere as long as there is a possibility to make a film there.”

At the moment Invictus is garnering rave reviews and a substantial amount of Oscar buzz. Freeman and Nelson Mandela have been friends for quite some years after Mandela replied “Morgan Freeman,” when asked who should play him in a movie during an interview. To play a man he has known personally was not such a stretch Freeman explained. “I like to think I borrowed some of his soul. But I played a role and put the script down - I’m still me.” He explained that when working with Clint Eastwood, the director of Invictus, anyone could do anything. “To work on a movie with him is any actor’s absolute dream. Any actor who has worked with him is dying to work with him again. I think for me he is the best there is. He hires professionals and unlike most directors he doesn’t talk at you like you didn’t read the script, Clint doesn’t talk about it he just goes and shoots it. If you get it in one take he’ll just walk away.”

It is the second time Freeman is taking on the role of a black president albeit the first one was fictional in Deep Impact. The question was put forward to him how he thought America’s current president, who Freeman endorsed during his campaign was doing. “Truthfully I think he’s doing as well as anybody could do. I’m behind him one hundred per cent but he’s president not king. As such he cannot rule by fear so things take time.”

Freeman concluded by talking about his next project. “After playing Mandela I’m going back to the old days. I can’t reveal the name but I’m going to Vancouver in March to do a picture with Bruce Willis.”

david@khaleejtimes.com