Akin Omotoso
Akin Omotoso makes his second feature length outing as a director with his new movie Man On Ground, which looks at the xenophobic violence in South Africa.
I caught up with Akin to talk about the new movie as well as how he has found the transition from acting to directing.
- Man On Ground is you latest directorial project so can you tell me a little about it?
It’s a film about a man’s search for his brother. London banker Ade’s investigations into his missing brother’s whereabouts lead him to the townships of Johannesburg.
When xenophobic riots erupt he is obliged to take refuge at his brother’s boss’s office- where he discovers a terrible secret.
- You also penned the script as well as directed so where did the idea for the movie come from?
In May of 2008, there was an outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa. Ernesto Nhamuave, a Mozambican immigrant was burned alive while bystanders laughed. That image was captured and that inspired us (Hakeem, Fabian and I) to make the film.
- The film tackles the rise of xenophobia in South Africa so why did you feel that this is a story that needed to be told?
The issue is bigger than South Africa, I think that the temperature in the world right now is about exclusion and I feel we need to work towards better societies.
As one of the children said in our research when asked if he had a message for those who displaced him and his family during the riots: 'tell them we are from here.' Here, being planet earth.
- Fabian Adeoye Lojede & Hakeem Kae-Kazim are just two of the names on the cast list so an you tell me a bit about the casting process and what you were looking for in your two lead characters?
Fabian and Hakeem were my co-collaborators on the project from the beginning. Initially all three of us were also to star in the film, but my character fell by the wayside as we moved on.
I have worked with Hakeem before on my first feature God Is African and we wanted to keep that relationship going. Fabian and I have acted together and wanted to find something to collaborate on and this was it.
They are both so talented and they brought the intensity that was necessary to play those characters. The same goes for the rest of cast.
Fana Mokoena (Hotel Rwanda), Makhaola Ndebele (Hijack Stories), Bubu Mazibuko (Catch A Fire), Mandisa Bardill and Thishiwe Ziqubu all very talented and just great in the film.
They had a year to prepare for their parts so everyone was focused when it was time to shoot.
- Did you shoot in South Africa and if so how did you find your time out there?
We shot in Johannesburg. I live and work here so there no issues- just the cold!
- The movie is featuring heavily on the festive circuit so how have you personally found the response to the movie?
One of the things we hoped with the film was that people would see themselves in the characters and it has been affirming to see that our wishes have come true.
People have responded to the film positively and that has been affirming.
- You kicked off your career in acting so what made you make the move into filmmaking?
I still act from time to time, depending on the role. As I mentioned earlier I was supposed to be in the film but my character fell off the tracks as the story progressed.
In terms of movie making I always loved telling stories, still do, and while acting is one part of the story, I wanted to be part of the whole process so I started teaching myself how to direct.
- How have you found the transition into filmmaking?
Lots of fun. It’s a marathon, not a 100m dash. I learn a lot every time I take on a project and that journey of learning excites, and continues to excite me.
- How much has being an actor and knowing what you needed from a director helped as you have moved into filmmaking?
I think it helped immensely. I love actors and love directing actors and that comes from being one myself.
I know what I didn’t like when directors directed me, so I don’t direct that way. The process is more collaborative on my set.
- You have been in movies such as Blood Diamond & Lord of War so are there any plans for you to return to acting?
Yes, in my next film, which is a love story called Tell Me Sweet Something I am acting in.
- What do you get out being a director that you don't get in front of the camera?
For me it’s being part of the whole. It’s very rewarding to start an idea and three years later see the end results. The relationship with all aspects of the production. I just enjoy that. Acting is quite finite.
- You have directed feature films, documentaries, TV and shorts so how do they all compare/differ - do you have a medium that you prefer?
I don’t necessarily see them as that different. In whatever format, you are still trying to tell a story, so my job is to tell this story the best I can, be in documentary or feature film.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw