Djimon Hounsou has voiced his grievances about the film industry.
The actor shared in a recent interview that he still struggles to get what he deserves despite having a collection of stellar works. He also mentioned being passed over for awards in the past, even when he was the most deserving.
An additional difficulty he faced was the assumption that he was not a “real actor.” However, he believes more and more people are realizing his abilities.
Read below to learn more.
‘I Still Have To Prove Why I Should Be Paid’
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In a recent interview with CaretakerHounsou talks a lot about his Hollywood career, especially his experience working in the industry.
The actor told the publication that he feels “very cheated” by the film industry and is “still struggling to try to make a dollar.”
“I’ve come in business with some people who really are and have a little bit of my praise,” Hounsou said. “So I feel cheated, very cheated, financially and in terms of workload.”
Doubling down on his statement, Hounsou shared that many showrunners have tried to take advantage of him on many occasions even though he has delivered many times in several Hollywood films.
“I still have to prove why I should be paid,” he said. “They always come to me with a complete lowball: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much, and we really think you can bring so much.'”
Djimon Hounsou For Being Overlooked For Appreciation
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Hounsou also said that early in his career, he was overlooked for the praise he deserved.
For example, his performance in his breakthrough film, “Amistad,” which was highly praised, ultimately did not earn him an Oscar nomination.
And even when he delivered brilliantly again in America (2002) and Blood Diamond (2006), his performance only earned him praise rather than giving him a real gift.
At the time, coming so close to an Oscar but not getting it made the actor feel like a nomination was the best he could achieve.
“Today, we talk a lot about the Oscars being so white, but I remember a time when I had no support at all: no support from my own people, no support from the media, from the industry itself. It felt like: ‘You should be happy that you’ve been nominated,’ and that’s it,” the actor recalled.
Showrunners Think Djimon Hounsou Is Not a ‘Real Actor’
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As if that wasn’t bad enough, some showrunners felt he was only in the industry for a while and would move on to other things.
“I’ve gone to the studio for meetings, and they’re like: ‘Wow, we feel like you just got off the boat and then came back [after Amistad]. We didn’t know you were here as a real actor,’” the actor recalled.
Instead of feeling discouraged about such a statement, Hounsou saw it as a challenge for him to change their thinking.
He added, “When you hear things like that, you can see that some people’s vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting. But it is what it is. It’s up to me to make up for it.
One of the things he has done is take on a smaller role, asserting himself as “the man of the day” and more should be expected of him.
‘This Is The Struggle I Have To Fight’
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Hounsou now believes that more people have recognized his talent and are now open to giving him more.
“From time to time, they themselves say: ‘We should give him more, he is underappreciated.’ I think they realize it themselves,” shared the actor, adding, “Hey, this is a struggle I have to overcome!”
In the meantime, the actor will reprise his role in the DC superhero film “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” in which he starred as a witch.
He revealed that there weren’t “a lot of roles” the first time he played, although he admitted it was “fans.” The sequel will see him get more screen time, which the actor described as giving him “a little more respect” for the show.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
