Chiwetel Ejiofor is a writer and Oscar nominated actor. But not only that, he also made his directorial debut in the Netflix Original film *The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind*. And he makes his self-interviewing debut in this episode.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is a writer and Oscar nominated actor. But not only that, he also made his directorial debut in the Netflix Original film The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. And he makes his self-interviewing debut in this episode.
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Catherine: Hello, you. Welcome to I Hate Talking About Myself. On this podcast, your favorite stars from Netflix series and films are given a bowl of questions and tasked with answering them. In this episode, we have Oscar-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. He's done it all. He's been on stage. He's been on-screen, but he's also a write. And, he just made his feature directorial debut in the Netflix original film The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. So, let's hear what you've got to say.
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Chiwetel: What restores your faith in humanity? I have a lot of faith, actually, in humanity it turns out. I know. Maybe I shouldn't, but I do. And, I am one of those people that think that people are inherently good, that they are inherently optimistic and positive, and sometimes need nudging in the right direction, but I think that, at its base level, there are very, very strong and positive and good things about humanity. And, I try to, just to balance all of the, kind of, negativity that you hear and all of the negativity that there is in the world and all of the issues that there are in the world with a sense and understanding that also, in my experience, I have seen and continued to see extraordinary acts of love, extraordinary acts of selflessness, that they constantly inspire me and maintain, I would say, rather than restore my faith in humanity.
Do you collect anything? Tell us about your prize collection or what you want to start collecting someday. Yeah. I don't think I do collect anything. I'm told, periodically, that I'm a little bit of a hoarder. So, I have been trying to rectify that, actually, with the help of a Netflix show, and which inspired me to get rid of boxes and boxes of stuff, and some of which I actually have to admit I did regret almost immediately after they disappeared. But, you know, that's part of the joy, the joy of tidying up. So, I'm trying to not collect too many things going forward.
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Chiwetel: What's the first food you hated and why? Now, I don't know why, but I remember yam, eating yam when I was, like, really young. And, there was something about the texture of it, like when you cut open a yam, cooked yam, and it's cut open and there's something about it. And, I think, because I was a kid, I'd expected for yam to have the same consistency as potato, and it doesn't. It has this slightly more fibrous consistency and slightly more wire-y, and it just—I mean, who knows why in the mind of a child this created this terrible reaction, but it really put me off yam for many, many years.
What's something you say you'll do, but you never will? I mean, I'm still hoping to one day run the marathon. So, I'm just going to leave that out there, but I'm still hoping that that is not going to be something that I only say that I'll do, but never will, but eventually will do.
What's your worst fashion mistake? I'd say that my worst fashion mistake was the—You know, I think I had to be 13, and it was the white jeans and the white Pierre Cardin shoes. Now, in isolation, it doesn't sound that bad, but it just, it didn't work. And, I still think about that outfit, and I was maybe, you know, 13, 14 years old. And, I just—It was awful.
What's the one show you watch over and over? It's funny. The first thing that comes to mind, which is, like, is The Truman Show, and it's not, like, just the play on words. But, it actually is a movie that I can watch over and over again. I think it's absolutely brilliant. It's ingenious.
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What TV series, movie, or play influenced you to be an actor? There were so many, but I think, like so many people, you know, that there was a period of filmmaking where, you know, everything was just, you know, that kind of '70s filmmaking was just such a rich time. And, I feel like some of those films that, you know, that the, you know, Scorsese films, Raging Bull, Spike Lee, you know, Do the Right Thing, I think there was this era of films, '70s and '80s filming that was so passionate and evocative. Parts of it felt, sort of, dangerous, but very deep in, sort of, deep and profound storytelling. I think that's true of The Godfather, you know, which I think is one of—I mean, I'm not the first person to say this—one of the greatest films every made, you know, for that reason.
What question do you think should be added to this interview for the next interviewee? How often do you get your hair cut? I'm very interested in that question at the moment for some reason.
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Catherine: And, that was Chiwetel Ejiofor with an amazing last question. Babe, I never get my hair cut. These luscious locks. Come on, I keep them long. You guys, how many of these have you listened to so far? Okay. I can't actually hear you, but I really hope you're going to say all 10 episodes. Come on, subscribe, rate, review. You know the podcast drill. I Hate Talking About Myself is produced by Pineapple Street Media and Netflix. Our music is by Hansdale Hsu, and it's hosted by me, Catherine Cohen. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go spark some joy.
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