Lifelong ‘Arabian Nights’ fan Shahin ‘Sean’ Solimon finally got the chance to live a dream, slapping on the garb of Sinbad in the feature Sinbad : The Fifth Voyage. A director’s cut of the film, which Solimon also directed, is now available on Amazon Prime. Here, Shahin talks shares his favourite scene from the movie and reveals what’s next for him.
Where did the idea for this fun, creative throwback come from?
I was deciding what project to dive into at that time. One night, as I was sipping on green tea and watching movies on a late Friday evening, SINBAD the Sailor hit me, as if it was meant. So, I decided, then and there, that I would love to try this challenge and that I have what it takes to make it happen. Now everyone can enjoy it.
What about the script? How did it change, if it all, in the time between that initial draft and the shoot?
I believe any movie will be changed from draft to shoot, and to edit. The filmmaker just wants a great product, and sometimes between those three phases things get modified. I hear of many productions that don’t even have a script ready by shoot date.
If by some chance a director has the privilege of making a Director’s Cut after a movie has been released. That is really fun, because you add some stuff that perhaps didn’t work the first round but might work now. In the ‘Sinbad Ultimate Director’s Cut’ case, I was able to add thirty minutes of new sequences and modified lots of stuff that I wasn’t happy with. It also includes an Extras BTS at the end. I highly recommend this version; it is the real version. I am very happy with it!
Did you have Patrick Stewart’s interest from the get-go?
I can say on the creative side, when we did the recording, Sir Patrick Stewart was very inspiring and brought out my creativity, as I explained to him what we were doing with this project. In fact, that was when I came up with the idea of him narrating as Sinbad, as in the Arabian Nights. I explained to him that, and I believe he felt my creativity going to the next level. It was a wonderful experience working with him for the short amount of time he was scheduled for. He was amazing and I am grateful for the opportunity.
You’d have to be a fan of all the old Sinbad movies, I imagine, to make a movie like this?
Yes, huge fan of the classic Ray Harryhausen Sinbad movies. When I was a child, I thought that it was way ahead of its time.
How does your film differ from those old Sinbad movies though?
I feel like my version is my version, it wasn’t meant to be a copy or reboot. It was meant to touch upon the nostalgia.
Is there a particular moment in the film you really, really enjoyed shooting?
Yes, and there were many. I feel every scene had a new challenge, but I particularly loved the cave scene with the six armed ‘Alakei’ statue and mummies. It was far out, very physically demanding and both of my hands were hurt from all the sword wielding but I loved it!
George Lucas was likely offered science-fiction movie after science-fiction movie after the first Star Wars, have you been approached to direct similar projects to yours since?
I have had some offers, but nothing that has resonated yet. However, I am totally open to working on a large-scale project for perhaps a big provider or studio. I feel I can make something that even George Lucas would be proud of and want to watch.
Any chance of a sequel?
All I can say at this point is, please STAY-TUNED!
What’s next for you?
I have several projects in late development. Including post-production on a fun little Sci-Fi that I can’t wait to present. It is very experimental and was a great exercise in filmmaking. Stay tuned for that.
Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage is available to watch now on Amazon Prime. Header photo image: Lara Solanki.
