In a place like Hollywood, the notion of faith can get lost or stuffed down. But, for British-Nigerian born actor, David Oyelowo, he’s used the last 18 years in Tinseltown forging ahead on his own terms.
Specific acting appearances that echo and embrace his Christian belief system include his role as Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma” as well as a recent one in “Queen of Katwe.”
In an interview with Relevant, he speaks about Christianity in the land of the mega stars.
Explaining that, “I think it’s about perspective. I think it’s a question of who’s telling the story. I know for a fact if I, as a Christian actor, am part of either getting a film made or am part of the telling of a story, I can bring my perspective.”
“I can bring my truth, which is that I live a life built on faith and the results of that are undeniably positive in my own life. Therefore, if I’m able to be on a set, if I’m able as a producer to be part of building the story, I’m going to bring my truth to how that story is told.”
“Someone whose experience of religion or Christianity or faith is different will inevitably impose their own perspective on the story. So I think it’s less to do with the fact that Hollywood is waking up to the importance of faith, I can almost guarantee that in any one of those films that you are talking about there will be someone there who is able to defend the validity of why faith can be and often is a good thing. Now of course there are often times when the Church abuses its power but that’s more to do with human beings than it has anything to do with God. So it’s not to write off anyone’s opinion on things, but like I say it’s about perspective.”
Thank you for speaking and standing in your truth. Check out the actor in his latest film, “Queen of Katwe” which is in theaters now.
Thank you David Oyelowo, @CynthiaEriVo, @ImAngelaBassett & Ntozake Shange for coming to see @eclipsedbway previews! pic.twitter.com/iP74NRt3Ik
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) March 5, 2016