Idris Elba has expressed his intention to relocate to Africa in order to support the growth of the sub-Saharan film industry, stating that “it’s going to happen.”
The renowned actor, known for his roles in popular TV series like Luther and The Wire, as well as acclaimed films such as Beasts of No Nation and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, shared his plans with the BBC during his attendance at the Africa Cinema Summit in Accra, Ghana.
Elba had previously announced his plans to establish a film studio in Tanzania and emphasized that his vision for advancing African filmmaking would necessitate a move. He stated, “It’s going to happen. I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry – that is a 10-year process – I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.”
He further added, “I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in [Sierra Leone capital] Freetown, I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories – that’s really important.”
Elba, who was born in London to a Sierra Leonean father and Ghanaian mother, is optimistic about the potential for filmmaking in Africa. In his conversation with the BBC, he highlighted the importance of portraying diverse narratives from the continent, beyond the usual themes of trauma and conflict. He stated, “If you watch any film or anything that has got to do with Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma, how we were slaves, how we were colonised, how it’s just war and when you come to Africa, you will realise that it’s not true.
“So, it’s really important that we own those stories of our tradition, of our culture, of our languages, of the differences between one language and another. The world doesn’t know that.”
Additionally, Elba is part of a group working on developing an “eco city” on Sherbro Island in Sierra Leone.