Ben&Ben’s Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin recently had the privilege of interviewing the cast and director of Disney’s latest musical drama, Mufasa: The Lion King.
The interview sessions with the duo, including the teaser posted by Walt Disney, have amassed more than 21 million views so far
The
two band vocalists from the popular Filipino band were asked by Disney
Philippines to get up close and personal with some of the most notable
figures behind the film, including director Barry Jenkins and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Miguel
and Paolo were able to interview Jenkins, who is known for his acclaimed works
such as Moonlight and
If Beale Street Could Talk.
They also met Miranda, the award-winning composer behind the film’s music, who
shared his creative process for making songs for a story as monumental as
Mufasa: The Lion King.
Miranda
offered a glimpse into his songwriting approach, explaining, “You just have to
honor those impulses. Kind of like—you have these assignments, and you
daydream, and you think about stuff, and you listen to stuff, until you have
this sort of alchemy.” His words not only highlighted the magic behind the
music but also underscored the collaborative spirit of the film.
For
the Benjamin brothers, the opportunity was not just a professional milestone
but a deeply personal one. Both twins grew up with a close bond that reflects
the sibling dynamics explored in the movie.
In
addition to speaking with the filmmakers, Miguel and Paolo interviewed the cast
members, including Aaron
Pierre, Kelvin
Harrison Jr., and Tiffany
Boone, who voice key characters in the film. The atmosphere was
light-hearted and engaging, with Kelvin Harrison Jr. even prompting the duo to
sing a few lines from their hit song “Leaves.”
The impromptu performance left everyone in the room delighted.
The
interview came at a busy time for Ben&Ben, who were in the middle of
rehearsals for their sold-out concert, The
Traveller Across Dimensions. However, when the opportunity to
interview the Mufasa team came through, the duo didn’t hesitate. “We felt we
could relate well to the theme of brotherhood portrayed in the film because of
the fact that we’re twins and we grew up really close to each other, much like
Mufasa and Taka,” shared Miguel Benjamin. “Also, the fact that the film
involved such great storytellers in it, both in film and music, made it an
opportunity of a lifetime.”
Paolo
echoed his brother’s sentiments, reflecting on the honor of interviewing the
Mufasa team and representing the Philippines. “We felt that representing our
country in a special interview such as this was a big task to fulfill, but we
tried to give it our best by coming up with questions that would allow the cast
and the directors the freedom to be just themselves while sharing more about
the film, their insights, and their memorable experiences working on it. What
we noticed the most, though, is how bonded the entire team behind the film is.
It’s like they’re family already.”
The
interview sessions quickly became a viral sensation, amassing over 5 million
views across social media platforms in less than a day. This does not include
the interview teaser with Miguel and Paolo six days ago on Walt Disney’s
Facebook page, which has already garnered nearly 16 million views to date.
Mufasa:
The Lion King blends live-action filmmaking techniques with photorealistic
computer-generated imagery. Directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele
Romanski and Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen, the film
promises to captivate audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and
unforgettable soundtrack, featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. As the holiday
season approaches, Mufasa: The Lion King is sure to be a cinematic experience
to remember.
Mufasa: The Lion King is out now in all Philippine cinemas
nationwide via Walt Disney Pictures.
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