Latest news with #Idris'
San Francisco Chronicle
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
With ‘F1,' rising star Damson Idris enters Hollywood's fast lane
Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane summer movie 'F1' with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series 'Snowfall,' there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but 'Franklin Saint,' too, the name of his drug kingpin character on 'Snowfall.' 'It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows,' Idris, 33, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Revving up to the next level Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with 'F1's' fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things are poised to rev up even more when 'F1' opens globally Friday. Speeding into theaters on a wave of great reviews and the promise of a 'Top Gun: Maverick'-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout 'Joshua Pearce' at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. 'I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star,' Kosinski said. 'I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch.' Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible — from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the 'F1' script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. 'I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that,' Idris said. 'When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did.' Giving it his all at 180 mph 'F1' wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 180 mph. It took months of training behind the wheel the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. 'It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen,' Idris said. 'In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell.' There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in 'F1,' in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. 'I speak to them every day and I ask for advice,' he said. 'The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career.' Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realized he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. 'When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good,' he said. 'Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt.' Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's 'Pandora's Box' over 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. What's next for Damson Idris Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation 'Children of Bone and Blood' in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. 'It's not just a namesake,' Idris said. 'I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice.' Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's 'Miles & Juliette,' about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well — his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in 'F1,' Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. 'It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded,' Idris said. 'I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. 'That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings.'
Fox Sports
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
With 'F1,' rising star Damson Idris enters Hollywood's fast lane
Associated Press Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane summer movie 'F1' with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series 'Snowfall,' there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but 'Franklin Saint,' too, the name of his drug kingpin character on 'Snowfall.' 'It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows,' Idris, 33, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Revving up to the next level Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with 'F1's' fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things are poised to rev up even more when 'F1' opens globally Friday. Speeding into theaters on a wave of great reviews and the promise of a 'Top Gun: Maverick'-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout 'Joshua Pearce' at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. 'I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star,' Kosinski said. 'I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch.' Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible — from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the 'F1' script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. 'I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that,' Idris said. 'When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did.' Giving it his all at 180 mph 'F1' wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 180 mph. It took months of training behind the wheel the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. 'It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen,' Idris said. 'In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell.' There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in 'F1,' in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. 'I speak to them every day and I ask for advice,' he said. 'The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career.' Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realized he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. 'When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good,' he said. 'Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt.' Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's 'Pandora's Box' over 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. What's next for Damson Idris Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation 'Children of Bone and Blood' in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. 'It's not just a namesake,' Idris said. 'I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice.' Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's 'Miles & Juliette,' about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well — his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in 'F1,' Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. 'It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded,' Idris said. 'I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. 'That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings.' recommended
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
Damson Idris makes grand entrance at the 2025 Met Gala
Damson Idris made quite the entrance at the 2025 Met Gala. This year's Costume Institute exhibit and correlating Met Gala theme was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." Celebrities in attendance dressed to the nines in accordance with the evening's dress code, "Tailored for You." Idris was among those who donned a tailored, swanky look for the evening, however the actor added a surprising twist to his ensemble, arriving in an APXGP race car and sporting a custom Tommy Hilfiger racing suit, complete with a helmet adorned with over 20,000 Swarovski crystals -- a nod to his role in the upcoming film "F1." Once on the iconic Met Gala carpet, the actor removed the racing suit to dramatically unveil a striking red plaid three-piece suit, also by Tommy Hilfiger. The ensemble featured a jacket with square jacquard patterns woven with gold thread, adding a baroque touch to the classic tartan design. Idris' look was considering one of the most memorable moments of the evening. Idris' transformation not only highlighted his stylish flair but also paid homage to the evolution and versatility of Black men's fashion, aligning seamlessly with the gala's celebration of Black dandyism and menswear. The 2025 Met Gala and related Costume Institute exhibit, which were announced in October 2024, take inspiration from Monica L. Miller's 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity," according to Vogue. "It's the first Costume Institute exhibition since 2003's 'Men in Skirts' to focus exclusively on menswear, as well as the first since Andrew Bolton became Curator in Charge to involve a guest curator," Vogue wrote last October. "Monica Miller, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University, will examine the figure of the Black dandy from its earliest depictions in 18th century art to modern-day representations from the runways and film. The show is inspired by her 2009 book 'Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,' in which she establishes Black dandyism as both an aesthetic and political construct."
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Belfast riots: Businessman struggles to rebuild after race attack
A Sudanese man whose internet café was destroyed during racist disorder in Belfast last summer has described enduring a "financial nightmare" after his business insurance claim was comes as an author of a new report said the anti-immigration protest that led to violent rioting was "hijacked" by the far-right outside Northern Ireland to shape their own Idris' Bash Technologies was burnt down and he has struggled to recover financially or rebuild his was told his insurance claim was "regrettably irrecoverable" because the damage to his rented premises was done in a riot. Mr Idris is now going through the "very long and difficult process" of seeking support through a government report by the technology organisation Rabble Cooperative mapped "far-right activity" on social media. Tommy Robinson tweet It found that the intervention of accounts from the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, including that of anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, "elevated" last August's protest into "an international spectacle" was the murder of three children in Southport at the end of July that sparked riots in towns and cities across the UK. This triggered the anti-immigration march in Belfast, which descended into violent street disorder and the burning down of a number of Muslim-owned businesses – one of which was owned by Mr Idris."It's affected my mind, it's a nightmare," he told BBC News NI."All this process, all these hassles – it is a mind torture. I'm exhausted. We are just living day to day."He said the struggle of having to repair the destroyed premises before handing it back to the landlord, and trying to rebuild the business elsewhere in the city, had become "too much" for his wife, children and him."For no reason, I have to go through all this," he said."I'm supposed to be stable and I have to look after my business and my family, but unfortunately I have to deal with consequences of some people who just attacked me for no reason." NI was 'plaything for other forces' The report also looked at several other anti-immigration and racist incidents that have taken place across Northern Ireland over the past aim for Rabble Cooperative - a tech company that carries out work for human rights organisations - was to determine the extent to which the disorder and attacks were being fuelled by orchestration, disinformation and misinformation Donnelly, who co-authored the report, told BBC News NI that only "a relatively small" and "loose network of people and accounts" were identified locally as having promoted the told BBC News NI that we in Northern Ireland had been "the playthings of other forces".In its examination of the August 3 protest, the report, which was commissioned by the Committee on the Administration of Justice and Unison, identified 35 accounts as having promoted it on Facebook with "relatively low" majority of those accounts – 69 per cent – could be characterised, according to the report, as self-identifying with Ulster social media engagement surged when the then Irish Freedom Party member Tracy O'Hanlon subsequently posted a promotional image of the event on Robinson, former leader of the now-defunct English Defence League, then posted on August 2 – the day before the protest took place. According to the report, those two posts garnered a total of more than 7,000 positive engagements and around 100,000 and 200,000 views the protest in Belfast city centre, a number of anti-immigrant protesters from Dublin joined the crowd – waving a tricolour alongside union flags.A video of this was shared by Republic of Ireland-based anti-immigrant activist Mick O'Keeffe on X, achieving 5.7 million views. 'Public narrative based on disinformation' According to the report, the video and accompanying text were subsequently amplified across a wide-range of anti-immigrant Facebook accounts, seemingly based in Britain and the Republic of Ireland, and further amplified by accounts on Instagram."What you saw from this kind of amplification was really framing a public narrative based on disinformation and trying to popularise that as much as possible," Mr Donnelly said."What the local accounts lacked that the external accounts had was sophistication in terms of how they played the platforms' algorithm."Locally, they weren't getting much traction in terms of views, in terms of shares, in terms of likes."And then when it moved to the more notorious far-right actors, you saw replication of content, you saw all the signs that they knew how to play the algorithm and suddenly you're getting 2.3 million views on something." He said the external perception this created was that nationalists and unionists in Northern Ireland were uniting against immigration, which in reality, he said, did not appear to be the case."Clearly the intervention of external actors was very big because you saw that we were part of a bigger agenda or we were the tail-end of someone else's story or narrative. That we were being slotted into a narrative," Mr Donnelly added."That doesn't say that that sentiment doesn't exist here, but it certainly doesn't gain the traction that it does across the water or in our neighbouring jurisdictions, it just doesn't happen."So realising that we were the playthings of other forces was very telling."
