by Dov Kornits
“I was doing Showboat, a musical in the West End where Genna had come and watched and liked what I brought on stage,” says actor Kit Esuruoso. “We chatted after, she told me about the kind of films she writes and messages she wants to bring to the work. After a month or so, I sent in self tapes for her and her team.”
Since graduating from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, Kit hasn’t stopped working. “Booking acting roles in the West End, regional theatres, TV, radio, voiceovers, web series and to get to work alongside some incredible people such as Tina Turner, Oprah Winfrey, Rupert Goold to name a few,” he tells us. “I’ve always wanted to tell stories that impact people’s thinking or impact their hearts. Art is something we can all share and be touched by, regardless of race, colour or creed, and I want to do more stories that can connect us all. The more we can show the humanity that we all share, the better world we can create for each other.”
Genna Chanelle Hayes cast Kit in Akoni, a human rights themed refugee story, with a large chunk of the shoot in Sydney.
“I love Australia. I love the lifestyle, the climate, the openness, the variety in landscapes across the country,” Kit says. “I had come to work at a bar in Bondi for a few months before – I’d always wanted to work away somewhere hot for a summer. My favourite I have to say is the Blue Mountains. Shooting there was breathtaking.”
Unlike his holiday visit to our shores, the role in Akoni required Kit to bring to life the traumatised experience of his titular character. “Where I was staying, I had a lot of time for myself,” he says about his preparation to playing this virtually silent, broken character. “Being in a country away from home, having a lot of alone time I felt the level of isolation which I brought to the shoot. When Akoni gets to Australia, there’s a lot he says without speaking any words. So, the scenes where he may not be saying much, I would still be asking myself the question, ‘what is he communicating in this scene?’ ‘What is he willing to show?’ ‘What is he trying to hide?’ ‘What does he want from the other person if anything?’ ‘Does he believe their help is genuine?’ Having a clear understanding of these intentions in each scene, regardless of how much you may or may not say, should still translate to the camera.”
It also helped having his director sharing scenes with him. “As a Director, Genna is superb at communicating what her visions are, which really helps as an actor. You can tell she’s thought about every moment, every inch of what she wants to tell, and that’s inspiring to work with. She has a way of inspiring people to help make these stories come to life. As a co-star, she’s a very generous actress. She’s very giving with her energy in scenes, which makes you feel safe to try what comes in the moment which makes it feel authentic.”
With a Nigerian background, how did this story of a young man displaced by the conflict in that country, resonate with the young actor? “The experience of refugees has always been one that goes untold as we live our lives more comfortably in the West,” he says. “This story tugs on some heart strings for me, especially because over the years the terrorist group Boko Haram which have been known to be active in the Northern parts of Nigeria, are no strangers to causing terror and displacement amongst the people.”
Akoni premieres in theatres around the country with a series of Q&A events during Refugee Week (19th – 25th June 2022), including the following:
Thursday 16th June:
SA – Q&A hosted by actor Stephen Tongun with the cast of “AKONI” at Wallis Mitcham, Adelaide, 6.00pm. Tickets available here
Friday 17th June:
VIC – Q&A hosted by human rights activist Alison Battisson with the cast of “AKONI” at The Classic, Elsternwick, 6.00pm. Tickets available here
Saturday 18th June:
VIC – Q&A with the cast of “AKONI” at Regent Cinemas, Ballarat 3.30pm. Tickets available here
Sunday 19th June:
VIC – Melbourne “AKONI” premiere. Q&A hosted by Aminata Conteh-Biger with the cast of “AKONI” at Cinema Nova, 3.30pm. Tickets available here
VIC – Q&A hosted by Aminata Conteh-Biger with the cast of “AKONI” at Lido Cinema, 7.00pm. Tickets available here
Monday 20th June:
NSW – Sydney “AKONI” premiere. A conversation with human rights activist, Alison Battison, former sex slave and refugee, Aminata Conteh-Biger and filmmaker, Genna Chanelle Hayes at Randwick Ritz Cinema, Sydney from 5.45pm
Tickets available here
Tuesday 21st June:
TAS – Hobart “AKONI” premiere. A Q&A with the cast of “AKONI” at The State Cinema, Hobart from 5.30pm
Tickets on-sale soon
Saturday 25th June:
NSW- Q&A with the cast of “AKONI” at United Cinemas, Avalon from 5pm. Tickets available here
