Prince of Wales: We need people from all backgrounds on our screens
The Prince of Wales has pleaded with director Paul Greengrass to make a new Jason Bourne film as he celebrated young creatives in the film, television and gaming industries.
Prince William clasped his hands together and asked the film-maker for “another Bourne, another Bourne, please?” as the pair met at BAFTA’s headquarters in central London.
However, Mr Greengrass, who directed three of the Bourne franchise films, laughed and shook his head.
He said later: “Not for me, they need somebody younger, I’ve done my bit. But I hope they get somebody great and young to do it, I think they’re in the process.”
The Prince, who is president of BAFTA, told guests at the event, co-hosted by the Royal African Society, that is was important to see people from all backgrounds on screens to ensure different perspectives are heard. to highlight the importance of supporting young people in the film, games and television industries.
He said it was “crucial” that aspiring creatives from across society were offered the chance to pursue such careers, enabling them to bring their ideas and stories to life.
“The screen arts are such an important part of the fabric of our lives, allowing different voices and perspectives to be accessed and enjoyed in the comfort of our own homes,” he said.
“Opening the door to the creative industries to as many young and talented individuals as possible, also includes working to ensure that young people are exposed to as wide a variety of voices and narratives as possible, as early as possible.
“And ensuring that young people from all backgrounds can see themselves reflected on screen.”
The Prince launched the Prince William Bafta Bursary fund in 2021 to help young people from under-represented groups keen to pursue careers in the screen arts industry.
Among the guests at the Bafta headquarters in London’s Piccadilly were high-profile supporters of the fund, including actors Celia Imrie, Andy Serkis and Stephen Merchant and Mr Greengrass.
Chatting with students from the National Film and TV School, he joked that there was now so much screen content to choose from that his children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – were “always wrestling over the remote” at home.
Thanking Serkis, Imrie and Merchant for their financial support of the bursary fund in his name, the Prince told Merchant he “loved”comedy thriller series The Outlaws, which he revealed he had recently finished watching.
Merchant, who is 6ft 7in, then joked with the Prince about his height.
“I didn’t realise how tall you were,” he said, to which the Prince replied: “And you seem to have grown.”
In response, Merchant quipped: “I’m wearing my built-up shoes today, I didn’t want to be outdone.”
The Bafta fund offers grants of up to £2,000 towards specific costs – such as a training course, the costs of equipment or software or relocation expenses – and has so far supported more than 160 people.
The Prince spoke to a selection of recipients working across the industry, from production assistants, costumer designers, writers and game designers to sound trainees.
In his speech, he said he looked forward to following their careers and seeing them become nominees and winners of Bafta Awards in years to come.
The Prince, who is a patron of the Royal African Society, hailed efforts to ensure that the next generation of film programmers gain an appreciation and knowledge of African cinema.
