Similar Topic: Captain Phillips Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
During their conversation, Maisler asked a thought-provoking question to Abdi about the representation of Black actors in the film industry. This resonated with Abdi, who recognized the lack of diversity in mainstream cinema. She expressed the importance of his performance in Captain Phillips, insinuating that it could be a defining moment in his acting career. This encouragement fueled Abdi's drive to deliver an outstanding performance. His effort paid off as he was nominated for best supporting actor at the Oscars. He was also nominated and won BAFTA for his role. The whole experience felt surreal to Abdi, who recalls feeling like he was living in a dream. Meeting his childhood idol Leonardo DiCaprio at the Producers Guild Awards and receiving praise for his comedic timing was a standout moment for him. Abdi credits Tom Hanks for his success, citing Hanks' dedication to his craft and hard work as an inspiration.
Even today, he is still recognized by fans of the movie, some ask him to say his famous line, "I'm the captain now." Abdi is affectionately known as "Captain Phillips" within the Somali community in Minneapolis. In 2020, he returned to his hometown and has since been dedicated to expanding his creative pursuits.
Here is a statement from Abdi about his career so far:
"I aspire to continue my journey as an actor, but I also have ambitions to become a writer and, eventually, a director. I am driven by a desire to share the untold stories, especially those of the refugees in Africa. I aim to shed light on parts of the world that Hollywood has yet to explore."
"...I am humbly aware that I have more to accomplish. It has altered the way people perceive me and pronounce my name. It is now uttered with reverence. I am no longer just Barkhad Abdi; I am now recognized as Oscar-nominated Barkhad Abdi."
Source: TheHollywoodReporter