When two of Africa’s best film stars come together, something exciting is bound to happen. British-born filmmakers Idris Elba and Mo Abudu are working on expanding Africa’s presence in the global film industry.
The pair who have expansive experience talked to Deadline about their ambitions, and obviously, this comes after Idris Elba announced his collaboration with the Ghanaian film industry, for which he is setting up a studio in the country.
"Africa needs talent and capacity. It’s important for us to amplify the voices in the continent. If we can build a footprint that is pan-African, then it allows for more diversity in terms of what’s on offer to Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Paramount and all of those guys." Idris Elba said.
Mo Abudu is a seasoned film professional and the founder of EbonyLife TV. She launched the network in 2013 as a way to promote African stories and produce positive stories about the continent.
The funny thing about all this is that Idris Elba and Mo Abudu had never met in person before this interview with Deadline. The two recognise the need to have more resources across the continent to facilitate the work of filmmakers.
"Until today, we haven’t physically met. This is our first real-life meeting. We’ve had Zooms and phone calls." Abudu told Deadline.
"Until today, we haven’t physically met. This is our first real-life meeting. We’ve had Zooms and phone calls." Abudu told Deadline.
They also recognise the need of sharing diverse perspectives about Africa. More often than not, Africa is painted as a poor, sickly and dark place drowning in nothing but hardships and both Mo and Idris want to change the kinds of stories that the world hears. How about a version of Africa’s Sex And The City? Mo says.
Additionally, Idris states that this is a long-term partnership and that several things are being worked on to ensure that it has a lasting impact beyond his time. He revealed that he’ll be the director and star of a film he’ll feature Ghana in whose production is expected to start in December.
The two believe that their synergy is important, with Idris bringing his global experience and Mo her local experience to marry both perspectives in the betterment of Africa’s film industry.
"I wanted to partner with someone who knows African filmmakers and has the ambition to go further and go wider and take African filmmaking to the international stage. It’s the synergy of Idris having a global perspective and me having a local perspective that works, and we can figure out how we go local for global." Mo Abudu said in part.
"I wanted to partner with someone who knows African filmmakers and has the ambition to go further and go wider and take African filmmaking to the international stage. It’s the synergy of Idris having a global perspective and me having a local perspective that works, and we can figure out how we go local for global." Mo Abudu said in part.
Both speak with so much knowledge and passion and we are sure that you will enjoy it. Visit the Deadline to read the full interview.
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