Chiwetel Ejiofor on Acting (2015)

2015, Chiwetel Ejiofor reflects on his role as John Loomis in the post-apocalyptic film Z for Zachariah and explores how isolation, morality, jealousy, and power shape human behavior when society disappears. Speaking with Charlie Rose, Ejiofor breaks down the psychological complexity of playing a scientist who believes he may be the last man on Earth, only to confront fear, control, and ethical compromise when others appear.

The discussion moves beyond the film into Ejiofor’s broader approach to acting, including his belief in emotional intelligence, tone, and instinct over rigid explanation. He discusses his career following 12 Years a Slave, why greater visibility doesn’t necessarily mean better roles, and how he chooses projects based on feeling rather than strategy.

Ejiofor also reflects on theater as a moral and personal discipline, his work at the National Theatre, performing Everyman, and why certain Shakespearean roles like Hamlet still elude him. Touching on mentors, rehearsal, artistic growth, and the long arc of a creative life, this episode offers a thoughtful, deeply personal look at acting as both craft and self-examination.

00:00 Post-Apocalyptic World of Z for Zachariah
01:08 John Loomis and Survival Psychology
02:15 Choosing Roles After 12 Years a Slave
03:53 Two People vs Three
05:20 Fear, Control, and Moral Drift
07:19 Jealousy and Power
08:50 Becoming Someone You Don’t Recognize
10:16 Preparing the Role
11:24 Theater and Everyman
12:32 Growth Through Performance
13:26 Influences and Directors
14:38 Rehearsal and Discipline
15:52 Acting as Concealment
17:14 Shakespeare and Hamlet
19:16 Why He’s Never Played Hamlet
21:20 Understanding Characters Before Saying Yes
22:16 Career Decisions and Regret
23:28 Closing Thoughts

Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage.

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