Born in Cameroon, Gabriel decided early on that he was going to do great things. When he was about nine, he proudly announced that he was going to be president. It was some sage advice from his Mother who advised him that if, for whatever reason, he didn’t end up as president that he’d better find another way, to make his voice heard. Filmmaking, he decided, was that way, and he set about learning everything he could about the craft.
His family moved to Germany when he was 13. By now, he knew for absolute certain that he wanted to be a filmmaker. So, powered by Beyonce songs and Apfelschorle (look it up, it’s delicious), he did everything he could to pursue his dream. It was moving to Berlin when he was a bit older though when things really started falling into place. After a few internships at a few small production companies, Jung von Matt hired Gabriel as the agency’s first-ever in-house director where he stayed for three years.
Now, Gabriel is on a mission to tell stories that have a deep emotional impact on viewers. Life can be tough, and that is often reflected in his work, but he’s able to bring real positivity to his films. Justifiably, he’s incredibly proud of his incredibly brilliant film Shame, which won him a silver at the YDA in 2017. Of his work he says, ‘Hey, I am a gay, black, African immigrant living in Germany, the ideas and stories often just write themselves, I don’t need to do much.’
We’re very, very excited…
Pet hates: Snakes as pets.
Ability to dance like Beyonce: Off. The. Scale.