Matthew C Martino

Mathetes Chihwai(born 27 October 1992), better known by his stage name Matthew C Martino is a Zimbabwean English film producer, author and former actor currently residing in United Kingdom under an Indefinite leave to remain Visa. Martino is perhaps known for his pilots manual Lets Fly and the subsequent Lets Fly Academy. Martino is the founder and benefactor of charitable trust Matthew Martino Benevolent Fund which provides support and sponsorship for aspiring pilots and film-makers.

Early life

Matthew C Martino was born on 27 October 1992 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Relocating to the UK in 2005. At the age of 17, he attended a drama club at Shenfield High School. His father Denias Chihwai is a marriage counselor and his mother Beauty a teacher.

Released memoirs in 2013 suggested that Martino had attended University of Essex and London South Bank University although it wasn't known if he had attained any qualifications from either universities.

Early career

Martino's early career started with his self-published book Lets Fly which was released in 2012. On 28 May 2013, he announced his second book Go For It during a night out in Mayfair.

In 2012 he announced his pilots manual Lets Fly would be free for all, a move which was dubbed by critics as a way to boost publicity and sales for the struggling book.

On 17 December 2013 a spokesperson for Martino's Lets Fly brand reported a £20k loss, the business was reported to be close to entering administration. Martino faced criticism for his lavish lifestyle despite the loss declared by his Lets Fly brand after a high profile arrival at Coventry Airport on 30 December 2013, which was branded 'publicity stunt of the month'

Martino has had a strong passion for aviation from a young age which led to the publishing of his pilots manual Lets Fly, he went on to design Lets Fly App and launch aviation resource site Lets Fly Academy, He made the official announcement for the App and the Academy at his birthday proceedings at Holiday Inn Brentwood in 2012.

His very first flight was aboard a Cessna 152 at Stapleford Flight Centre which is based at Stapleford Aerodrome . In late 2013 Martino was criticised for double standards after it was revealed that pilots for private charter firm F5 Air let Martino fly jets he didn't hold licensing and type ratings for. Reports of irony flooded after Martino hit out at United States Air Force for the helicopter crash on the eastern coast of England on 7 January in which four serviceman lost their lives.

In 2012 He featured in Slick Suave's critically unsuccessful single Flight Crew. In a March 2014 interview Martino spoke of his genuine passion for music then said 'Im gutted ill never be rapper'

In an interview on Sunday 13 April 2014 Martino revealed his plans to become a DJ again, He used to DJ during his teen years under the name DJ Eazi M.

Business career

In early 2012 Martino then 19 co-founded F5 Air a private charter firm based out of Biggin Hill Airport. The venture went bust later that year.

Martino founded aviation consultancy firm Lets Fly Academy' back in October 2012. The firm was reported to be in financial trouble in late 2013 with theirLets Fly giveaways'' being blamed as the biggest strain on the business. On 21 March 2014 a spokesperson for Lets Fly Academy confirmed that the business will be expanding later in 2014 with a retail arm that will specialise in selling pilot equipment.

Martino's other business interests include a stake in a news group, the details of which group it is have been kept under wraps despite Martino himself denying the reports. Martino also controls a land investment portfolio and details of this portfolio have never been disclosed.

Film

In 2012 Matthew set up DM Productions, with an aim to create commercial British films of any budget but the company was since changed into a Sales Rep firm. Martino officially stepped down from modelling and acting in early 2013 after criticism about his appearances on Alan Titchmarsh Show. He ranted 'Im loving it' during an interview with Manila Channel after appearing on the ITV show as a valentine's cupid.

In 2012 Matthew also made cameo appearances in About Time directed by Richard Curtis and Dom Hemingway starring Jude Law

In early 2013 his directing debut Lets Fly Documentary was aired on TV Perú as part of celebrations for a national aviation holiday in Peru.

2013 became a busy year for Martino mainly due to the success of his TV Documentary Lets Fly. He went on to say 'Im trying to achieve beautiful works of art' during an interview with Young Celebrity News.

In late 2013 reports flooded of Martino retiring from the film industry, amid a statement by his rep confirming his annual leave. Martino had previously rubbished the rumours in an earlier interview stating "I’m only 20, surely I would go down as the biggest quitter retiring at this age".

In early 2014 Martino was surrounded with bankruptcy rumours but he however confirmed he would still executive produce all films he is due to invest in for 2014 and beyond.

On 16 March 2014 Martino was reported to be planning a return to acting by Spaced Out Magazine. Reports late in March 2014 also claimed that Martino was working through his annual leave after he posted Twitter snaps of himself on set.

Personal life

Martino resides in Brentwood with his parents and siblings, He has fought hard to keep the limelight away from his siblings.

Martino was in early 2014 linked to a political career, however aides close to him called onto him not to run.

Martino loves his suits, in a 2012 interview he stated "I go to bed in my suit as I need it first thing". Martino enjoys going to watch films at the cinema but has admitted he 'hates watching his productions' in an interview.

On 28 February 2014 a private jet Martino had chartered was held at Stansted Airport after authorities investigated 'party materials' that had been reported on board the aircraft, the plane was later cleared to take-off. In mid February 2014 reports broke out that a complaint had been lodged against Martino and his personal entourage by a member of staff at Heathrow Airport who claims she suffered abuse.

On 9 March 2014 it was reported that Martino had picked up a £3500 bar bill, the stunt was seen by critics as a 'show off' to brush off bankruptcy rumours. A week after this Martino's ex bodyguard slammed him and his former publicist Simon Phetter he claimed he had been pushed out of his job and commented about Martino sayingHe arranges Coupe d’état for a living.

On 20 March 2014 Martino's raft boat was vandalised at Portsmouth Harbor, although no explanation to the incident was ever reported it is thought Martino was compensated.

On the 22nd of July 2014 it was reported that Martino was warned by US officials not to fly any aircraft during a visiting to Orlando. Upon arriving in Las Vegas on July 24 Martino branded it a shambles, a photo of Martino flying shared on Instagram a few days later sparked an investigation which almost led to him being deported from the US.

On the 27th of July during the New York leg of his US visit Martino was provided with an escort by the NYPD and he sparked outrage after filming a clip of this which one of his friends shared on Twitter.

Philanthropy

On 6 October 2014 it was reported that Martino would form charitable trust Matthew Martino Benevolent Fund which would provide sponsorship for aspiring pilots and film-makers. Martino himself commented on the Trust saying 'I want to support The Two industries that have made me what I am'.

On the 20th of October 2014 it was reported that Colchester Film Festival would introduce the Matthew Martino Rising Star Award in association with MMBF. The purpose of the award was to 'encourage new and emerging British film-makers by publicising their talent and supporting their future work'.

Bibliography

Books

A list of books by Matthew C Martino.