Today we’d like to introduce you to Arthur Bastos
Hi Arthur, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I don’t typically get nervous. I’m cool under the pressure of a first date, performing on a stage in front of a live audience, or even sitting across from the 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 in 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 appeared on the screen. Cinematographer Wally Pfister’s camera work grasped my attention even more than I could imagine. A wide shot from around eight hundred meters away from a tall glass building, around thirty floors high, flew closer and closer as Hans Zimmer’s score merged in the background. A subtle violin chord grew louder and louder, transforming 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 thugs was the Clown Prince of Crime himself. Nothing in that moment could take my eyes off the screen—or so I thought. 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 volcanic 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. 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 that of a predator—hunting, patiently waiting for the right moment to attack. 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 there—from that moment forward, it was only the Joker. And that is when the improbable happened: I pleaded with my grandmother to leave, as I could no longer sustain the anxiety and anarchy that Heath’s performance imposed on me. It wasn’t until 2014, six years later, that 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. The summer before my freshman year of high school, 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 afternoon in August, in Paris, I finally made myself 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 in others, just as Heath’s performance did for me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Living far from my family and home is challenging. It is especially difficult when I miss the comfort and closeness my loved ones provide. While I feel privileged to be in Los Angeles, a city full of incredible opportunities and experiences, the distance often makes me feel disconnected. There are moments when I long for the warmth of home, the familiar sounds, and the people who know me best. It’s hard not being able to share daily life with them, especially during important moments. The sacrifice of being away from my family is difficult but necessary for my artistic and professional growth as I pursue new opportunities in Los Angeles. Although I’ve moved around my entire life and it never gets easier, I’ve worked to make this city my new home.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
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.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
There are three key skills that have profoundly impacted my journey—skills I wish I had known earlier, as they would have made my artistic process smoother. Patience is a skill I’ve cultivated over time, one that continues to evolve as I navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth. Focusing on the process and not on the result is vital for an actor. This requires patience and trust in the artistic process which ultimately leads to growth. I recently portrayed Mark Antony in a production of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Breaking down almost twenty thousand words written in verse is no easy task. Although the preparation remains the same as to a contemporary role, Shakespeare’s works require additional levels of patience to allow your body to fully digest the language. There were times when progress felt slow, but understanding that every step, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger picture kept me motivated and resilient ultimately resulting in a fulfilling creative process. Another impactful skill I’ve practiced in my journey is surrounding myself with artists who are not only more experienced but also artists who constantly push and challenge me. By being around those who excel in their fields, I’ve been inspired to elevate my own skills. Their feedback, support, and different perspectives have helped me grow and improve continually. I collaborate with as many international and experienced artists as possible, either as an actor, a producer, a writer or as a director, working with artists from different walks of life is always a rewarding and educational experience. A third quality that has impacted my journey is setting ambitious goals. This has driven me to reach beyond my comfort zone and strive for excellence. Although comfortability provides safety, it is the death of growth. Good art is personal and requires deep levels of vulnerability which can be scary. Fear is necessary for artists to evolve in uncomfortable situations. This mindset has allowed me to tackle challenges with confidence and envision possibilities that I might not have considered otherwise, regardless of fear and challenges. These three qualities together have shaped my journey, guiding me toward achieving my creative and personal aspirations. Developing these three skills is the most valuable advice I can offer to any artist starting out, as they are essential for navigating the creative path with confidence and success.
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https://lewinephoto.com/
