Adam Deacon says he wrote his newest movie – Sumotherhood – as a approach to “take ownership” of a number of the “scary stuff” written about him within the press following his breakdown.
The 40-year-old Hackney-born actor and rapper says it was essential for him to place a few of his personal psychological well being points into the film, which he wrote, directed and stars in.
He instructed Sky News: “I felt like not only was it quite therapeutic for me to get it out of my system, but also take some ownership in what was written about me, because there was so much stuff in the press that can be quite scary for someone to read.
“I felt like if I do not take it that critical, then, you realize, folks studying it do not should take it that critical. And I need folks to grasp that you would be able to undergo a psychological well being breakdown, and you’ll get better. It’s identical to a damaged leg – you break, a leg heals. It’s like your thoughts, your thoughts heals.”
Deacon’s rise to fame was swift, starring in 2006 film Kidulthood, adopted by Adulthood two years later – each written by and starring Noel Clarke.
Deacon went on to select up BAFTA’s rising star award in 2012 – forward of Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth and Chris O’Dowd.
But Deacon’s upward trajectory was stopped in its tracks following psychological well being struggles, culminating in two breakdowns and a bi-polar analysis.
‘More must be completed to interrupt the stigma’
Deacon now hopes the movie will assist deal with the “stigma around mental health”, which he says remains to be a difficulty.
“I faced that [stigma] myself. And I know a lot of young men have come up to me and told me about their own issues… I think things are changing. I think the way the media talk about mental health now was a lot different when I went through my breakdown. But I think more needs to be done and hopefully this film will just start a little conversation going, especially for young men out there watching it.”
Intertwined together with his sickness, a very public row with Clarke – who Deacon claimed was sabotaging his profession – led to a restraining order towards Deacon in 2015.
Clarke has since been the topic of a number of bullying and sexual misconduct claims following an investigation by the Guardian newspaper. Clarke has by no means been charged with any offence and strongly denies the allegations made towards him.
Now, with these occasions years behind him, Deacon sees Sumotherhood as his calling card to the trade he loves.
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“For me, it was it was a struggle letting the industry know that I’m cool. I feel better. I’m in a good place. And I think that’s why I made the film as well, to kind of prove myself to the industry, to let people know, ‘Look, I’ve been in this industry since I was 12 years old, and I just want to work. I just want to act and I want to direct and I love what I do’. So, it feels like a second chance.”
‘I added traces… and folks laughed’
It was in actual fact his first movie, taking part in troubled teen Jay in Kidulthood, that first led him to the concept of making a parody of the gritty London-set gang drama that made his title.
“I think Jay in Kidulthood was written quite aggressive and quite obnoxious a lot of the time. And so, I added a few lines and when it came out and I went to the cinema to watch it, I realised the comedy lines I added had an effect and people were laughing.”
It was then he determined he needed to write a full comedy of the drama, leading to his directorial debut, Anuvahood in 2011. Now 12 years later, Sumotherhood follows.
Inspired by Brett Ratner’s 1998 action-comedy Rush Hour and the work of Guy Richie, the movie has a British really feel with an American flavour.
Pop star ‘reveals off’ appearing expertise
Plus, extra cameos than you may shake a stick at.
Appearances embody Ed Sheeran, Lethal Bizzle, Jennifer Saunders, Denise Van Outen, Linda Robson and Jeremy Corbyn.
Jazzie Zonzolo, who co-wrote and stars within the film alongside Deacon, says the assist was “crazy,” and has explicit reward for Shape Of You singer Ed Sheeran.
Zonzolo explains: “Let me tell you about Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran is a real professional. He invited us to his house to rehearse and he was not letting us go home. He just kept going, and he literally came on set, knew his lines like he was amazing.”
Heaping on extra reward, Deacon says Sheeran was a “perfectionist”, who confirmed “professionalism” and “creativity” all through the shoot.
Plus, he says followers will get to see a complete totally different aspect to the squeaky clear pop star: “He’s a proper actor in this film. I think a lot of his work in the past was him playing himself. And I feel like this is an opportunity for the world to see Ed in a way they’ve never seen him before and for him to really show off his acting skills.”
Sumotherhood is in cinemas now.
Source: information.sky.com”