MUSIC & CULTURE
Interview KEVIN SINCLAIR Actor ADAM BESSA
Going to the rehersal.
You might not know Adam Bessa’s name quite yet, but you’re about to. The modest actor has managed to rack up quite an impressive list of movie credits while still flying under the radar of celebrity status. He stars opposite Chris Hemsworth in Sam Hargrave’s action thriller, Extraction, released this year. You can also find him in Sofia Djama’s The Blessed, which follows a handful of characters living in Algiers in the wake of a civil war that lasted through the 1990s. Now, he’s posed to make himself known in Matthew Michael Carnahan's highly-anticipated new war movie, MOSUL, which is now currently streaming worldwide on Netflix. I shared a good laugh with Bessa, who is currently filming a new project in London, while getting to know him and chatting about his involvement in the making on MOSUL.
Selfie in the car going to the movie set.
Kevin Sinclair __ Hey Adam, thanks for taking time out to speak to me. I know you are very busy shooting in London at the moment.
Adam Bessa __ Hi Kevin, I am happy to speak to you. It’s not a problem.
Kevin Sinclair __ What are you currently working on in London?
Adam Bessa __ It’s top secret so I can’t disclose too much but I’m sure you’ll love it!
Kevin Sinclair __ OK, now I really want to know about this project you are working on. But, since I only have 45 minutes with you we can talk about that in a next interview.
Adam Bessa __ You got it! I promise to tell everything.
Kevin Sinclair_ You are somewhat of a mystery guy but you are rapidly becoming recognized for your brilliant acting. How are you handling your stardom? Are you getting used to being a celebrity?
Adam Bessa __Thank you very much for the compliment but I don’t think I am a celebrity, I still have some road to cover there.
Kevin Sinclair __ You are modest and talented. You already have my attention. I recently saw the harrowing new trailer of Mosul which is airing on Netflix this month. This movie seriously recreates some war scenes with such dramatic depth and realism. What was it like being part of such a huge production?
Adam Bessa __ I had the chance to be surrounded by all these professionals, each one excelling in their discipline. I really learned a lot.
Kevin Sinclair __ It’s the only way to grow as an artist. I understand the film is loosely based on a 2017 New Yorker article about the fight to defeat ISIS after it took control of the Iraqi City of Mosul, capital of the Nineveh Province. Mosul is centered on an inexperienced Iraqi police officer named Kawa, whom you play, who’s rescued during a firefight by the Nineveh SWAT team. What was it like playing this character?
Adam Bessa ___ It’s a huge responsibility. There is an authenticity and a truth you have to find, these people exist for real and their stories are so unbelievable. You have to give all you have all the time as a sign of respect for what they did, it’s very demanding physically and psychologically. The partnership with the other members of the SWAT team was essential. It’s teamwork and friendship you can say.
Kevin Sinclair __ Totally! This movie is truly a story of humanism and is an important narrative to tell especially in the rising tensions all around the world. It is really an eye opener. How did you bring this character to life and what are you hoping your fans will take away watching this film?
Adam Bessa __ For me it was really an eye opening experience for sure. Having the opportunity to play an Arab hero who is not a terrorist in a film of this scale and show the side of this world with characters full of humanity was a necessity to tell. I’m so happy to have been a part of this opportunity. There is no difference between there and here. We all want the same things as human beings which is freedom. And I hope the viewers and my fans will be touched and have an echo in their real life to never let go of what they feel is right.
Kevin Sinclair __ Powerful words Adam. And you are absolutely right. We are so busy with our day to day life forgetting that there are countries and communities out there fighting that battle. I really do believe that this film will give so much insight into that. I am really looking forward to seeing Mosul and, of course, your performance. I understand you play some really dangerous action scenes. On a joking side, what is the dumbest way you’ve been injured on set?
Adam Bessa __ [laughs] I had my AK-47 with me at all times, it was a rule on set, so sometimes I forgot about it. Every time I would sit, it would just rebound on the floor and hit me in the corner of the eye. It was really dumb but,God it hurt like hell.
Kevin Sinclair __ Another action movie you starred in is called Extraction, which came out this year with your co-star Chris Hemsworth. You played Yaz Kahn. How was it to play that character and is there any cool behind-the-scenes stories you would like to share with our readers?
Adam Bessa __ Yes, Yaz Khan was a really cool character. A very groovy guy, so it was real fun to play him. But, a good behind-the-scene I can share, you will find hard to believe. As you can imagine Chris is really athletic and great at sports, so we would often organize football matches which Americans call soccer. The hair and make up crew were my team members who are Italians and are not tall nor muscular. Chris and his team was made up of Australians and Americans, who were all really tall and strong. Every time I had the ball passed to me and Chris ran to tackle me I would say to myself ‘oh boy I’m gonna lose a leg or an ankle there’. But if you can believe it Kevin, we won!
Kevin Sinclair __ What! Your team beat Chris and those hulks!
Adam Bessa __ [laughing loud] Yeah we did, it was great fun!
Kevin Sinclair __ It sounds like real good fun on your sets. You seem like you would be into sports. Let’s say you were given a one-minute ad slot during the Super Bowl game, what would you fill that ad slot with?
Adam Bessa __ There is something I love when I see people with physical handicaps achieving great sport challenges. Like climbing Everest. It motivates me and captures my attention, so I would show this in the ad!
Kevin Sinclair __ I have noticed that you have a certain style to your acting and the roles you choose to play. Are there any actors that inspires you or identify with?
Adam Bessa __ Thank you! Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett really inspire me. More recently I love the style of Barry Keoghan, I discovered him in a film called Margaret.
All self images provided by Adam. Shot on his IPHONE while filming in London.
Kevin Sinclair __ And so spot on! I am a huge Cate Blanchett fan. I think I have seen all her movies and Christian Bale in American Psycho, amazing. He has done so many good movies and American Psycho is like a beloved music record I keep going back to over and over. I must have seen it 50 times, no joking. Actually, I also discovered Barry recently. I have not seen Margaret but I did see the Killing of a Sacred Deer which was terrifying. I was so creeped out by his character but yeah the acting was really good. Is there a fictional character you would be excited to meet in real life?
Adam Bessa __ Vito Corleone.
Kevin Sinclair __ OMG! The Godfather. That is a good one. You have a dangerous side I see.
Adam Bessa __ [laughs]
Kevin Sinclair __ OK, moving on. [Laughing]. You’re very busy with your career traveling shooting all over but is there a love interest, children or pets in your life?
Adam Bessa __ My wife is my love interest [laughs] and my second love is cats. I grew up with a Persian. They are the best! And I have a say, how I hold it all down with my career is saying to myself, believe it’s two faces of the same vase. One is to rest, the other to get inspired. In other words, one side is to refill your tank, and the other is the race! They go together hand in hand.
Kevin Sinclair __ I am going to take that advise mister because I am a real mess [laughs]. Because of Covid a lot of people are finding more time to dine at home. What’s your biggest screw up in the kitchen?
Adam Bessa __ My mother is Tunisian and lived in Italy for 10 years, she is a wonderful cook. She taught me so many tricks in the kitchen and the passion of cooking. I am very mindful not to screw up but if that happens, which is rare, I get really upset and I can’t eat it [laughs].
Kevin Sinclair __ I know what you mean. If I am not enjoying eating something I cooked or someone prepared for me, I don’t eat it. I don’t care how it makes the other person feel. You are what you eat so I get what you mean. It sounds like you have a great mom which makes you sound grounded. I always feel like moms are the best when it comes to passing down secret family recipes. It’s really a great gift to give to a son. Besides your skills, you are a very handsome guy and designers love to dress and collaborate with Hollywood actors. What designer would you want to dress you for an up coming premier?
Adam Bessa __Thank you, Dries von Noten, Issey Miyake are designers I love. Also new designers I recently discovered Charaf Tajer and his brand Casablanca.
Kevin Sinclair __ All great picks. I read you are to star in the French film HAUTE COUTURE, coming out in France in January 2021, about the storied Dior atelier. This all sounds exciting. In addition, is there a collaboration with Dior to shoot their campaign we should know about?
Adam Bessa __ Ahhh you will see...
Kevin Sinclair __ I am really looking forward to seeing your growth and I will be following you. What is a message you would like to give to your fans reading this interview.
Adam Bessa __ Stay safe, these are difficult, strange times we are living in with the pandemic and all but be strong and patient. And I hope you will love Mosul.
Kevin Sinclair __ Well Adam, this was a really fun interview. I had a good laugh with you. And being the Editor in Chief, I rarely do interviews but this was a real pleasure and I wish you continued success.
Adam Bessa __ Thank you so much Kevin. It was a great pleasure talking to you.
Cover Mona Grid Interview Kevin Sinclair Actor Adam Bessa