Idris Elba Set to Move to Africa ‘to Boost Film Industry’

Idris Elba, a British actor and producer, has announced ambitions to migrate to Africa within the next decade to help the continent’s film industry.

Elba spoke with the BBC on Wednesday while attending the Africa Cinema Summit in Accra, Ghana.

The 52-year-old film star emphasized the need of Africans taking ownership of their narratives on a global scale. He stated that he intends to relocate to Africa within the next ten years, but he will not specify the region.

“I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” he said.

“I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry.

“I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown Sierra Leone’s capital, I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories – that’s really important.”

The movie star criticised the predominantly negative representation of the continent in films and media, adding that the portrayals focus primarily on trauma and fail to capture the diverse and true experiences of Africans.

“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 is just war and when you come to Africa, you will realise that it is not true,” he added.

He also expressed his desire to one day shoot films at his proposed Accra studio, highlighting the potential of locally produced content.

Elba announced plans in March to develop Sherbro Island in Sierra Leone into a “eco-friendly smart city.”

The Hollywood celebrity will reprise the classic role previously played by Pete Edochie, an excellent Nigerian actor, in ‘Things Fall Apart’.

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