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As a fitting close to Black History Month, actor Idris Elba was the featured speaker for the Lens Projectâs âArtist Spotlightâ series. Held at the Paul Robeson Center of Rutgers Universityâs Newark campus this past Thursday evening, the lecture was moderated by Ms. Baraka Sele, the current Assistant Vice President of Programming of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).
Black Presidents In The Movies
Idris stepped onto the stage to standing applause and an unmistakable spike in estrogen levels among the women in attendance, as they whipped out their cameras to document Hollywoodâs sexiest chocolate boy wonder. Adopting an âInside the Actorâs Studioâ format, Ms. Sele and Mr. Elba discussed everything from his solid middle class beginnings in East London, his upcoming projects, to the current state of black cinema in Hollywood.
TheUrbanDaily.com was on campus for Idris 101 and bring you the highlights below.
On his most prolific role as Stringer Bell on HBOâs âThe Wireâ
âI was a huge fan of Stringer Bell being killed off right at the height of his popularity. I commend the writers for a realistic view of living a life of crimeâŚas a drug dealer you either end up dead or in prison.â
On the Golden Globes and this yearâs Oscar âwhite-outâ
âHalle Berry and I were the only two black actors nominated for this yearâs Golden Globes (Idris for Luther and Halle for Frankie & Alice). The Oscars arenât designed for usâŚletâs focus on making more films.â
On the controversy surrounding his role as Heimdall, in the upcoming âThorâ
âItâs so ridiculous. We have a man (Thor) who has a flying hammer, and wears horns on his head and yet me being an actor of African descent playing a Norse god is unbelievable? I mean, Cleopatra was played by Elizabeth Taylor and Ghandi was played by Ben Kingsleyâ
Does he watch any of his films?
âI donât watch myself. Itâs excruciatingâ
On his decision to become an actor
âMy parents were hard-working and believed in security, getting that paycheck. Paul Barber (another black British actor) came to speak at my school, and I realized âI could do that too.â When I told my parents I wanted to be an actor, my father said to me (at this point Idris mimics a dead-on African accent) âKuna, you know actors donât make money.â So I got a job working at the Ford factory and after 2 years, I was like, I gotta go back to acting.â (Idris would eventually win a place in the National Youth Music Theater, thanks to a Princeâs Trust grant).
On speaking to todayâs youth
âIâm just a beacon⌠actors and people in the film industry should speak at schools to inspire students.â Idris is the anti-crime ambassador for the Princeâs Trust grant, a U.K. based youth charity that provides workplace skills and financial support.
(Idris speaking Princeâs Trust)
On being an only child
âAs an only child I had a vivid imagination. My imagination gets me in trouble, it gets me awards and it gets me paychecksâ
On what role he finds most challenging
âWhile the U.K. is known for their drama schools, they are very expensive. I wasnât classically trained in theater, so I have a natural fear of Shakespeare. But Iâd like to tackle King Lear or Othello.â
On the Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry debate
âCan I be candid?â he asks before turning to face the audience directly. âI donât like all of Tyler Perryâs films. Yes, I did work with Tyler for âDaddyâs Little Girlsâ because it portrayed a positive image of a black father. I am happy for Tylerâs successâŚwe need Tyler PerryâŚby going to support his movies, we need to show economic strength. But we are also responsible for elevating film. Iâm not with buffoonish characters like Madea or Big Momma.â
By the end of the lecture, it was clear that Idris Elba hasnât been coasting on just his good looks. Thoughtful, resourceful, and humble, Idris Elba continues the legacy of strong and positive depictions of black masculinity in Hollywood.
In other news, Idris has just been cast in the, not quite Alien prequel, Ridley Scott helmed Prometheus. He joins Noomi Rapace (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Michael Fassbender (X:Men First Class) and Charlize Theron (Hancock). (source)
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