Berner (real name Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr.) is a man of many talents. He’s been a recording artist for over two decades, founded a successful cannabis brand, and clothing company. His next venture is in the world of film. He wrote and directed Splash City, a new coming of age film about young men with divergent paths.

I sat down with Berner to discuss his new film, The Bay Area, and what he hopes people learn from his film.

I really want people to understand, something small could turn into something big

Why was it important that this film be based in the Bay Area?

Berner: I feel like my whole goal of making films is to show off the Bay Area, the different worlds inside the Bay Area, and also the beauty of the Bay Area.

You’ve been to music for career for almost 20 years?

B: I’m thinking about like 25.

There’s naivety when people get into music industry about what they think it is versus what it actually is. People get into crime. or street life, there’s also a native team as well. Did you see any of that cross when you were doing this film?

B: You’re talking about like the lessons. I mean, definitely. I mean, one of the lessons for the film was, you better better think twice before you make a decision because a small decision can turn to something very big. My goal for the film to show people not everything turns out to be just a simple lick.

Was there a decision that you had in your life that was similar, a fork in a roll moment?

B: I’ve learned a lot of life lessons throughout my journey. I think this film is a way for me to introduce a different world in the Bay Area. Showing, even in a household with a good role model, good brother, you can definitely go down the wrong path with the wrong influence around you. And sometimes, the wrong influence may seem like they have the best for you, the best intentions, but have a certain agenda and just be on some bullshit, you know?

You learned a lot in music, clothing, and dispensaries. How did that help you get this film out and on the big screen?

B: I think making a project is just making a project. Whether it be an album, or writing a book, or even like getting some packaging done…you have to see something through from the beginning to end. Making a film was was a lot, but it was a lot of the stuff I learned along the way in music.

Speaking of music, I heard that you redid the score for this film.

B: I felt the score that was done prior was not really our vibe. It didn’t really fit the world of the movie. I felt like if I would have left it there, I wouldn’t have been happy with it. But I’m super thankful for that guy, ’cause it kind of showed me where the film needed to score, and what kind of energy it needed there. It needed to be my swag, right? So I’m glad that we did it. It wasn’t really cool to pay for 2 scores [laughs], but at least on the 2nd one, we know exactly where to go.

For people who aren’t familiar with The Bay, like how big of a problem is car break-ins?

B: It’s not much of a problem anymore, but it was a huge problem at one point in time. You couldn’t really avoid it. If you rented a car, if you lived in The Bay, and if you were visiting, your window was probably going to get smashed if you had something.

What are you hoping people get out of this film when they go watch it?

B: Well, a few things. I hope that they want more crime films from myself and set in the Bay Area. I hope they fall in love with the world that we’re introducing them to, the Bay Area. I hope they understand there’s a lack of like raw, edgy, authentic crime films today. And I hope they understand, like I said before, you can’t trust ever single person that comes to you with a smiling face. You have to be careful what you’re doing. I want people to think before they make decisions. I really want people to understand, something small could turn into something big real fast.