Adam Deacon wrote Sumotherhood to counter ‘scary stuff’ written about him in the press
Adam Deacon says he wrote his latest film – Sumotherhood – as a way to “take ownership” of some of the “scary stuff” written about him in the press following his breakdown.
The 40-year-old Hackney-born actor and rapper says it was important for him to put some of his own mental health issues into the movie, which he wrote, directed and stars in.
Pic: Paramount Pictures
He told 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 don’t take it that serious, then, you know, people reading it don’t have to take it that serious. And I want people to understand that you can go through a mental health breakdown, and you can recover. It’s just like a broken leg – you break, a leg heals. It’s like your mind, your mind heals.”
Deacon’s rise to fame was swift, starring in 2006 movie Kidulthood, followed by Adulthood two years later – both written by and starring Noel Clarke.
Deacon went on to pick up BAFTA’s rising star award in 2012 – ahead of Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth and Chris O’Dowd.
But Deacon’s upward trajectory was stopped in its tracks following mental health struggles, culminating in two breakdowns and a bi-polar diagnosis.
‘More needs to be done to break the stigma’
Deacon now hopes the film will help tackle the “stigma around mental health”, which he says is still an issue.
“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 with his illness, a very public row with Clarke – who Deacon claimed was sabotaging his career – led to a restraining order against Deacon in 2015.
Clarke has since been the subject of multiple bullying and sexual misconduct claims following an investigation by the Guardian newspaper. Clarke has never been charged with any offence and strongly denies the allegations made against him.
Now, with those events years behind him, Deacon sees Sumotherhood as his calling card to the industry 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 lines… and people laughed’
It was in fact his first film, playing troubled teen Jay in Kidulthood, that first led him to the idea of creating a parody of the gritty London-set gang drama that made his name.
“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 decided he had to write a full comedy of the drama, resulting in 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 film has a British feel with an American flavour.
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Sumotherhood has numerous star cameos throughout
Pop star ‘shows off’ acting skills
Plus, more cameos than you can shake a stick at.
Appearances include Ed Sheeran, Lethal Bizzle, Jennifer Saunders, Denise Van Outen, Linda Robson and Jeremy Corbyn.
Jazzie Zonzolo, who co-wrote and stars in the movie alongside Deacon, says the support was “crazy,” and has particular praise 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 more praise, Deacon says Sheeran was a “perfectionist”, who showed “professionalism” and “creativity” throughout the shoot.
Plus, he says fans will get to see a whole different side to the squeaky clean 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.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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