Idris Elba: “Coming to Africa is like coming home”

interview

Idris Elba is not a man of big words, he prefers to get down to business and take things into his own hands. You can see that in his latest film “Beast – Hunters Without Mercy”, which will be released in cinemas on August 25th, but also when you speak to him personally. In the film, which was shot in the land of his ancestors, he fights relentlessly against an evil lion, a beast, while trying to protect his daughters. In real life, the actor campaigns for farmers in Africa and, as the “Sexiest Man Alive” of 2018, keeps questioning his priorities in our more privileged world.

In your latest film “Beast – Hunters Without Mercy” you fight against a computer-animated lion. How was that filmed or were you fighting a ghost?
The film was shot in South Africa, but no, luckily I didn’t have to fight a ghost. There was a human who was in a green screen suit and had to mimic the lion. He adopted a bit of the wild cat’s movement pattern and wore a lion mask. It was a bit bizarre to shoot, but through all the rehearsals you got used to it.

What was a nice moment during filming and what was a difficult one?
We shot the film for ten weeks. Over time we became like a little family, especially with the two girls who portray my daughters I had a great time. It was difficult that the shooting was very dependent on the weather. There were sandstorms and downpours, then sometimes we had to put everything down and wait.

The movie is called Beast – Do you have a beast inside?
Yes, maybe I have. I’m a workaholic, I guess that’s my inner beast.

Your roots are in Africa, what is your connection to the continent?
I feel very connected to Africa and have shot many film projects there. It’s the same process to make a film, but the energy in Africa is different. South Africa is a special place for me, not only because of my role as Nelson Mandela in the past, which was a great honor for me. Whenever I come to Africa, it’s like coming home. When I first set foot on the continent of Africa, I felt a direct connection to the country.

Do you have a special tip for a trip to South Africa?
Yes, you absolutely must travel to Cape Town and Johannesburg. The cities are both very different. Johannesburg is a bit like New York, always busy. And Cape Town is more like Miami and California, the weather is wonderful.

Together with the UN, you support African farmers on site, what exactly is it about?
My wife and I work as ambassadors for the United Nations agency IFAD. We try to help the farmers who are having difficulties to compete and survive in the market against big corporations. Climate change in particular is affecting farmers in Africa. We want them to get more attention. I’m not a farmer myself, but my parents grew up in West Africa, growing their own food. The people who live there don’t have the opportunity to go to big shopping malls, either they go to the market or they grow it themselves.

“Sexiest Man Alive” gave Idris Elba an ego boost

When you were with the farmers in Africa, did you lend a hand and help locally?
I actually learned about the irrigation system there, how best to distribute water when growing food.

Has your work in Africa permanently changed the way you think?
When you go to Africa, you realize how privileged we all are. We take so many things for granted. Whenever I came back from Africa I was more thankful for the things I have. And sometimes afterwards I simply reduced my lifestyle, sorted out things I didn’t need. I’m very happy with my life, but when you go to Africa you realize how happy people can be there without owning so much.

A few years ago she was named People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” – ​​how did that make you feel?
It was a huge ego booster. It felt good and it was a real honor.

Did you expect this?
Yes, of course, I knew that. No, that was a joke, of course I didn’t know it. My daughter was very surprised, she reacted in disbelief with the words “Excuse me, what?”