KADIJA KAMARA TURNS COVER GIRL!
MUST READ: BROWN-EYEZ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ADAM DEACON!
Brown-Eyez caught up with the talented Mr Deacon! Check out what he had to say about his latest movie!
If you had to sell Anuvahood using 10 words what would they be?
It’s a original, laugh out loud coming of age film.
Anuvahood went to number 1 in London (number 7 at the box office), why do u think it was so successful?
Going number 1 was a brilliant thing. Not many low budget films can do that. I think the reason why is because it was made for the people. I guess that was my target audience. The critics had a lot to say but they didn’t really understand it. I knew that maybe not everyone would really relate to this kind of movie.
I think the people spoke out because this film was made for them. It was their entertainment. I knew that the young people would relate to it but you never know if it’s going to work or not. It was so good that people came out to watch it. I just have to thank the people and everyone that supported it on twitter and all the other artists.
I went to Wood Green to watch it with my mates and it was great. The cinema was packed with young people and I just herd roars of laughter, it was just a great feeling. I hope people get a message from it too. Even though it was a comedy they see the message, be yourself and stop trying to follow the crowd.
You have drawn on comparisons with Anuvahood and the film Friday. How intentional was this?
It was very intentional. It was always planned to make the UK version of Friday but with our own take on it. Friday is one of those films you could watch over and over again. I wanted to take it out of South Central and put it in a London council estate. It was about doing my version of that. It was very intentional. There were certain shots that I wanted to replicate, you know with Tyrone as the UK version of Debo. It wasn’t an accident that people related it to Friday basically.
You have done really well. You have gone from acting in Ali G, Adulthood, Kidulthood and Shank to now being a successful writer and director. What would you say has been the key to your success?
I guess I don’t take the industry too seriously in a sense. You have to be quite laid back with it and take each day as it comes. I never expected anything. That’s why I am always trying to challenge myself. I have met so many actors where everything gets handed to them on a plate. They get one part when their 16 years old, get a massive cheque and are in an ongoing series for years and years to come your sorted. I’ve never had that. The work that I have done has always been very low budget films that have had a massive impact but not financially. You will still be in the same areas that you come from. So because of that it’s given me that hunger.
I’ve never really been happy with where I’ve got to. I’ve always felt that I am a little bit of an underdog in the industry. It’s always challenged and pushed me that little bit more to go and do a D.I.Y on the industry and do it yourself! Do your own work. I think it’s that I’m never happy and I always want to keep doing something else. Even now I’m already thinking about the next film I want to put out there. Something different and original. I can’t really sit still I’m someone that always wants to be working and I guess the support helps as well. That’s where I have been very lucky. The support from the community around me has been so strong that even if you want to give up you can’t really because your always getting this love from the people out there. So I feel like my community is backing me and that is what keeps me doing this always. I feel very blessed!
So you have quite a few strings to your bow, what is next for you?
I have a film coming out next summer called Outside Bet with myself and Jason Maza. That’s going to be different to the stuff that people may have seen me in. It’s a light hearted family film set in East London in the 80′s. I’m not doing the whole street thing. I’m in the process of going through a few scripts, me and Michael Vu are working hard. Your going to see a lot of different things coming out in the future.
What is your motto or advice that you live by?
I think that everything happens for a reason. That’s a motto that I believe. Karma and everything happens for a reason and treat people how you want to be treated. I think especially everything happens for a reason. I do believe that something can happen to you, it feels like the end of world you give it a bit of time and things start to pan out. Yep I’m a strong believer in that it’s all made for a reason.
Who is your favourite director?
I don’t know if I have a favourite director. I have worked with so many, every director is different. I liked working with Menhaj Huda who directed Kidulthood and Noel Clarke who I learnt a lot from and watched him do his thing. Also Yann Demange who I did Dead Set with, I’m a big fan of his. Every director is so different. I’m a fan of directors that let you do your thing and then give you feedback. I guess a bit like myself. On the acting side of it I like to do my thing and then the director comes in, if they are not really feeling it then they give me feedback, but I like directors who let the actors do their thing!
What is the hardest obstacle you have overcome?
The hardest obstacle is trying to break through into the mainstream. I find that I’ve always considered myself a bit of an underdog in the game and that’s why you wont always catch me on the mainstream channels because it feels like a battle sometimes to get on there. The obstacle that I have is that I have got this massive support from the people out there but the people that run the industry maybe they are not aware of the support I have out there for me to make it.
I guess to overcome politics and stuff that you don’t really want to be involved in that’s what I find to be the hard bit. I just want to act and do the work but there are a lot of other things that you have to rise above. You always have to prove to someone else that you can do the part even if you know you can, you still have to prove to someone else that you can do it. That’s challenging.
Ok here is a random question. Who would you ‘lips, make wifey and tell to breeze out of J Lo, Nicki Minaj and Alicia Keys?
Alicia Keys would be the wife, I love her voice. I don’t think I could tell any of them to breeze, I think they are all quite pretty ladies, I think that would be quite rude to tell then to breeze. I would just spend a bit of time with J Lo and Nicki Minaj. I couldn’t tell any of them to breeze. I’m gonna be polite.
In ten years time I want to be……a director with a list of films under my belt that people relate to and that have been quite ground breaking. In ten years time I want to be able to look back at a catalogue of films that I have made that are original, fresh and different.
Anuvahood is out now on DVD and Blu-ray!
Follow Adam Deacon on twitter @realadamdeacon
Read on to see photos from the Anuvahood tour!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ACTRESS, WRITER AND PRODUCER KAMARA BACCHUS!
Brown-Eyez caught up with the talented actress, writer and producer Kamara Bacchus. After watching her stunning and compelling film Special Delivery we were eager to speak with the young talent and find out a bit more.
How did you get into acting?
I went to the Brits school from 16-18 to do a acting class and I loved it. Then I went to uni for a year. On the last day of my final exam I got a phone call to audition for The Bill. I had to make a decision. I didn’t go to my exam but went for the audition. I got the job! I remember it being the most happiest day of my life, I was so excited. That is a feeling I can’t recreate. I was so naive to the industry and that moment was a really pure moment of joy.
So what shows have you been in since The Bill?
I have acted in lots of different things but one of my proudest moments was Doctor Who. It is one of the biggest productions I’ve been on. It has such a big fan base. When I went to America, although I played a small part, people were still very impressed with the fact that I was in Doctor Who. They really recognise Doctor Who over there. They luv it!
You recently wrote the short film Special Delivery which was screened at London’s BAFTA’s! What is the film about?
Special delivery is about a post woman who has a love affair with one of the residents of where she delivers letters to. It’s about taking a risk. Her life is boring and then she takes a different route one day and her life changes.
Special Delivery has no dialogue! Why did you choose to write a film this way?
There was never any plans to have dialogue. I just wanted it to be a really universal and accessible love story. I felt that by having words it would ruin the mood. I just thought I would keep it silent and let the emotions tell the story of these two people.
What inspired you to write this film?
At one point I really wanted to be a post woman. I geared myself up for it, but when I went to look for a job there were no vacancies. So one day I just decided to write a story about a post woman. The more I was writing it the more I thought it would be a great role for me to play. Its different and just a really simple story. I thought when would I get to be in a film without words. I used that opportunity to give that role for my own career, and things just came together.
So what else do you do?
I am a member of AmeenDream Entertainment which is a film and television production company founded by Aml Ameen.
What is your role in AmeenDream Entertainment?
I’m a co-producer on most of the projects we do. It’s small, just four of us. Me, Naja, Sheila and Aml. We are a great team.
How is it going?
It is going really well! We recently screened our three films The Pick Up, Special Delivery and Drinks Drugs and KFC at the BAFTA’s.
The feedback has been great. We made those films with no money and no input, everything was done as a favour! Now there has been some interest in what we do. People want to work with us and are more willing to put money into our projects. People have the attitude that if that is what we can do with nothing then what would we be able to do with a budget.
Our goal is to keep creating films that people enjoy. We want to make more short films and feature films and keep growing the ASA drama school! We just want to keep providing opportunities for actors!
What do you think about the new growth of black britsih films?
I think its encouraging. If there weren’t films like Annuvahood, and Kidulthood there wouldn’t be any black actors working. I know people keep saying they want different stories and there is only one representation and all of that, but for me I prefer that there is a presence and we are getting actors working! It’s about the work! I think it is very positive. If people don’t like what is being made then they need to sit down and write something! For me film and TV is a form of escapism. I don’t look at it as showing us in this or that light! At the end of the day it’s not real! It is entertainment! It’s positive to have black people working! its positive to have black people on the screen! That’s positive for me!
As an actor, what do you think of reality tv?
I’m not really a fan of Big Brother but I love The Only Way Is Essex and the Kardashians. They are good for what they are meant to be. As an actor it’s a good reference point, its entertaining, turn it on get a quick laugh and then your out again. I like reality TV because it is easy, watch one episode and its finished!
What is your favourite film?
My favourite film is called The Concert. When I was living in LA everyday I would go to the cinema and watch what ever was showing. I wouldn’t even look it up. One day I bought a ticket to see this film called The Concert. Initially I was like oh my gosh I have just wasted my money coming to watch this film because it was in French and had subtitles. I didn’t get up though, I stayed and just watched it and it turned out to be the best film I have ever watched. It was so emotional. I cried. It is just amazing and its all entwined with classical music.
What was it like living in LA? Did you find it a bit ’fake’?
I love LA. It’s a business town so I actually find people rather professional within the remits of what this industry requires. I think the word or concept of ‘Fake’ probably comes into play with people that maybe don’t fully understand what the entertainment industry is all about. It’s sales really, just of an image and a brand.
Which actor would you like to work with?
Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Angela Bassett.
Why Brad Pitt?
I just love him. He is a great actor, he choosees his roles really well, I enjoy watching his movies.
Who is your inspiration?
I really like Jk Rowling. I appreciate the way she was able to capture generations of people with a world she created, and thats what acting and writing is all about! Presented fantasy situations in a way that an audience can find truth in it!
What advice would you give to people wanting to pursue acting?
Keep reading plays, watching performances and keep learning as much as you can about this art form through practitioners, literature and films. Then know where you want to be positioned, and work hard in achieving that goal.
For more info on Kamara Bacchus check out her blog A Girl From Croydon!
DIZZEE RASCAL INTERVIEW WITH RISKY ROADZ!
Check out this interview where Dizzee shows off his beer belly and talks about his road to success, being the first independent rapper to go Platinum and people taking “too much sh*t” from the Grime scene. It’s a good watch!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KOSHA
