Exclusive Interview With Aurelien Henry Obama Cameroon’s Top Martial Artist And Action Movie Actor

 I believe its time that Africa should have their own heroes, role models and examples in the movies. – Aurelien Henry Obama (Actor and Martial Artist)

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THJ: Thank you for taking the time to speak with The HotJem. How are you doing today?

Aurélien Henry Obama: It’s my pleasure, well today I feel strong and sexy as usual.

THJ: For readers who may not be familiar with your work, could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey?

Aurélien Henry Obama: I’m an African from Cameroon who’s an actor, writer, martial artist, cultural promoter, fight choreographer, filmmaker, pan –Africanist and God fearing Christian. As for my name, Aurelien is for my francophone heritage, Henry for my Anglophone heritage and Obama for my Cameroon/African heritage.

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THJ: You’re based in Yaoundé. Do you prefer people call you Aurélien, Henry, or simply Obama?

Aurélien Henry Obama: I live in Yaoundé, the beautiful capitol of Cameroon which is known as “Africa in miniature”. Some of my friends call me “THE FORCE” for my martial arts legacy; you can call me any name you wish.

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THJ: What inspired you to pursue acting, and how did your journey into the film industry begin?

Aurélien Henry Obama: Well in the past I was running an online Pan African Martial Arts magazine called Shiai Magazine and I was also in promotion of Africa’s Super Heroes (ASH) comic book through NGUL Productions. I remember I saw ONG BAK martial art action film starring Tony JAA, a martial art sensation from Thailand with a friend called Joe Ateba aka “The Unbeatable” who was a National Cameroon Taekwondo champion at that time. So we decided that we needed to give Africa especially Cameroon it’s own action/martial art heroes in movies. We did our first short action martial art film in 2005 that we sadly never saw image.

In 2006, we did the 2nd one called Moneybag. Then my partner decided to give up action movies to concentrate on other ventures in his life. It was in 2009, I did my 3rd action short film Lost Brother: Waka-waka man as lead star hero where I showcased my fighting skills which became very popular online. It was projected in short film festivals in Cameroon.

Then in 2011, I did another action martial art short film called Triple Threat which was also projected in festivals in Cameroon amd even in USA. I was in contact with Pavel Nyziak from Poland (living in the UK/USA) who made the website of Bolo Yeung (the famous Hong Kong martial art film icon). who adviced me to learn how to act or else I’ll always be a stunt fighter. From listening to his advice I joined many acting groups where I worked with talented experienced actors.

In 2012, I produced, co-starred, fight choreographed and co-wrote my 1st feature film ‘Clans on Fire’ aka Slave’s Dream directed by Kmeron Popman. In 2013 I played the lead villain role in a Christian Horror film “Touch Not’ directed by Tanui Paul and I also appeared in ‘Invisible Affection‘ by K.H.C YAYA.

In 2013, I acted the main villain role in Tinted Roses beside Desmond Wyte. In 2014 I played in Return of Beast by K.H.C YAYA. In 2015, I acted in Lara’s Song beside Sende Bende, Chinepoh Cosson, etc. and the list of films go on.

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THJ: You’re also an accomplished martial artist. How did you first get into martial arts?

Aurélien Henry Obama: I’m a 4th degree( Dan) Black belt Shotokan Karate Master who has also practiced Taekwondo, Sambo, Hapkido, Wrestling, Kickboxing, Aikedo, Jeet Kunedo, Winchuan, Wushu, stretching, bodybuilding and any other form of fighting I could encounter in my path in life. I started martial art since childhood around age 7 years old and I was a big fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme when I was kid and all great names of martial art films like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Jim Kelly, Billy Blanks,Wesley Snipes, and so many more.

I was very weak kid, I had poor health. I had respiration problem. I also started speaking very late. That’s reason why my parents send me to do martial art to be strong but later my dad removed me from martial art school. So I had struggle on my own to study martial arts, so I learnt a lot from street, meeting different fighters who taught me.

THJ: How much of your martial arts background influences the films you make?

Aurélien Henry Obama: Yes some of my movies but not all are martial arts incline, one of the reason why I’m promoting the concept of African Heroes is because I grew up a lot with Asian and white heroes and very few black heroes to identify as role models. You can imagine growing up as a kid and seeing only negative images of blacks especially Africans in the movies and life in general. I believe its time that Africa should have their own heroes, role models and examples in the movies. I want to show to the African kids across the world that they too can be great and by being Fabulous they can change Africa positively in all aspects of life.

THJ: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an action actor and filmmaker in Cameroon?

Aurélien Henry Obama: Funding is a big challenge, looking for financial support and promotion in the country. When you’re a pioneer in martial arts action films in country, you’re forced to do almost everything! Most of the action movies, I’m the producer, writer, fight choreographer, stunt fighter, casting director, hero or main villain. Other aspects is to convince Cameroonian filmmakers to promote action movies by using my experience in front and behind the camera.

I see how the public/audiences are excited when they see me fight and act. They even call me African Bruce Lee or Black Van Damme. Sadly financial support is not provided and it’s impressive to see many martial artists, actors and filmmakers from different African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Mali, Kenya, Botswana and from other different countries around the world who really want to work with me in their film projects. It’s astonishing and amazing.

THJ: Besides acting, you’re also involved behind the scenes. Do you write movie scripts as well?

Aurélien Henry Obama: In Cameroon if you want to be a successful actor, you need to be able to have talents behind camera be it producer, writer and so forth. Yes since childhood I’ve been writing stories especially African black super heroes, then I evolved into martial art/action films where I had the opportunity to learn how to screenplay stories. Many other filmmakers brought me their stories to screenplay it and many where drama and love stories – not action at all. I’m a recognized writer of the Copyright Guild of Cameroon.

THJ: Why do you think the Cameroonian film industry hasn’t reached the same level of recognition as industries like Nollywood, despite having so much talent?

Aurélien Henry Obama: It’s simple. We need to change our mentality. We like anything that comes from abroad or oversees. Look at the music industry in Cameroon. If a musician doesn’t record his/her album or video clip in Europe, they are a nobody. Same for football. Even if you’re the biggest player in first division, you have to go outside the country to be recognized and it’s not different in cinema. No matter how we act, how we direct or produce films we have low esteem as ourselves, as people and as a nation.

We need to change our mentality. We need to believe in our potential, in our talents, crafts and creativity. Nobody is going to make Cameroon great if it’s not Cameroonians themselves.

Our media (television, radio, newspaper, website, etc.), civil servants and business men reflects the mentality of our people. Don’t get me wrong, we need to be able to be famous everywhere and work any where that there’s opportunities but as they say charity begins at home.

THJ: What do you think needs to happen for Cameroon’s film industry to reach that next level?

Aurélien Henry Obama: Once we start believing that Cameroon is great and we can do great things together, there’s the beginning of hope. Yes entertainment should be considered by our government as a sector of development to bring wealth and creation of employment in the country. That private sector should be encouraged to invest and sponsor our film industry and Entertainment in general. Like in Football in Cameroon, the media should engage themselves totally in promotion of our artists and we need an international entertainment TV station where our stars can be valorized.

Marketing and distribution of films and music in Cameroon is almost inexistent, we need to improve on that sector, to fight against piracy. Many people want to buy our films but they don’t know where to buy or where to watch it. Yes recently government and even private initiatives have now been opening cinema halls which were totally inexistent in the country in the past. We can create a system of cinema clubs in different localities where our films can be projected or even sold.

THJ: On a lighter note, which Cameroonian actress would you most like to share the screen with in a romantic role?

Aurélien Henry Obama: Well there are so many talented and beautiful actresses from Cameroon that I will surely like to do a love scene with but I’ll mention two names; Syndy Emade in Cameroon and Adambi Mbango in USA. These two beautiful talented divas from Cameroon have an incredible acting career and not only would I do a love scene with them, but I’ll also appear nude with them if the right money is proposed!

Hahaha, I’m just joking. On a serious note, these actresses have always wanted to act beside me in an action movie, not only to play a love interest but to play strong female characters be it hero or villain.

THJ: You definitely had us going there for a second! On a more serious note, do Cameroonian actors, especially the well-known ones, make a good living from acting?

Aurélien Henry Obama: It’s a complex question; even in the USA not many actors make good money except those who reach the top of film business and to reach the top you need to be gifted, you need to be hard working, you need to act in quality films, your films need to be available, the media needs to talk about you and so forth. Once you have a name in the film business you make good money. But how do you make good money if you don’t act or your movies are not shown or sold? You need Executive Producers to put in big money to pay you and make the movie to be promoted.

Even top actor will confirm that it’s not in all films that they are well paid but that they need to work to showcase their talents. Lucky ones with their fame are called to do advertisements, commercials, seminars, represent organizations/businesses, Ambassadors for social causes, etc. all of which give them money.

THJ: If you could work with one African actor and one international actor, who would you choose and why?

Aurélien Henry Obama: Idris Elba although he’s more of a Hollywood British actor, he’s still an African. His talent is enormous. This guy can play any role. He has screen presence and charisma. He’s able to enter into the shoe of any character he plays.

Samuel L. Jackson is an actor who changes his physical lappeaarance from hair style, dressing, body size and character to portray a role in a movie. I’ve always admired that in an actor, the capacity to play different roles. Since I’m a martial artist I’ll say Michael Jai White; you see him in martial art films and non-action movies. That is impressive as he’s not locked or defined by one genre of movies.

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THJ: You recently attended the Red Feather Awards. Tell us a little about the event.

Aurélien Henry Obama: Red Feather Awards was the 1st edition to promote and valorize Cameroonian films and actors across the nation which was held at the Hilton Hotel, Yaoundé, Cameroon on December 14th, 2016 and was organized by our pioneer actor Otia Vitalis.

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THJ: You’ve received several award nominations throughout your career. Can you tell us about some of them?

Aurélien Henry Obama: Well in 2012 I was a nominee for Best Uprising Male Actor by Cam Movies Merit Awards in Buea, Cameroon. In 2013 my film ‘Slave’s Dream’ aka Clans on Fire was a nominee for Best Film with a Traditional Cultural Heritage and 2014 still the same festival, I was nominated for Best Supporting Role for the movie ‘Return of the Beast’

In 2016 the movie I took part in ‘Lara’s Song’ was nominated for Best Cameroonian Film and Best Film of Central African Region for Ecrans Noirs Film Festival in Yaoundé. Lara’s Song was also a nominated for Best Movie at the Red Feather Awards. I’m just proud that I’ve been recognized by many film festivals and award ceremony of my talent as an actor and filmmaker. I haven’t yet won but I believe my time will come soon. Essentiallyl I continue to improve my craft as an actor and filmmaker.

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THJ: Of all the films you’ve acted in or helped write, which two are your favorites and why?

Aurélien Henry Obama: ‘Clans on Fire’ aka Slave’s Dream which was a 1 hour 45 minutes epic feature film in which I did screenplay with Akime Lionel. I was the film producer, fight choreographer and played the role of Chief Warrior Mandem the great hero. We trained for 3 months, used 50 actors and filmed it in SOA. We had to build some of the location. It was a wonderful experience emerging from short films to feature film after working with others in their own movies. I’ve gained experience and recognition from that movie.

The 2nd will be ‘Tinted Roses’ by L.T NJECK, not because I acted beside big industy names, it was fact that it was the first movie I worked under pressure. That is when I understood I had talent and I took acting seriously as a profession.

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THJ: You’re clearly passionate about fitness. What’s your routine for staying in shape?

Aurélien Henry Obama: I train in martial arts 3- 5 times a week, I do bodybuilding 3 times a week, and I stretch regularly. I walk a lot, I like dancing, drinking water, eating fruits everyday and I have healthy balanced diet (fish, vegetables, traditional African dishes) and I eat meat occasionally. Then of course a good massage for my aching muscles. I read the Bible constantly and meditate over it for mental health. As an actor our body is our business, so you need to take good care of it. Occasionally I do eat junk food and drink alcohol, hahaha.

THJ: It sounds like fitness plays a big role in your life. Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you over the next couple of years?

Aurélien Henry Obama: In 2017 the short film ‘Cracks ‘ in which I star in with seven other talented actors will be projected at different film festivals in Cameroon, Africa and across the world. Also in 2017, I’ll take part in the biggest Cameroonian film of the year called Winds as a fight choreographer and as an actor and will use 300 cast and crew members to be filmed in Batibo in Northwest Region of Cameroon from in February. Additionally, in 2017 a Francophone movie “Immigration Clandestine” where I play main villain where I showcase my fighting skills will be released. Then a comedy drama TV series “All Ventures” created by Alfred Melow will be broadcasted at CRTV where I play a role. I’ll be shooting “No Time” an action comedy film with participation of uprising young actors in country majority Yaoundé II University Soa students.

With respect to my action/martial art movies career, I will star in the international film Blood Brothers, an Action martial art adventure genre written and produced by Sebati Edward Mafate as Sahili the poacher the African villain in Botswana starring Anton Kasabov (a 3 time USA National Taekwondo Champion, 3 time Taekwondo European Champion and 3 time World Champion from Bulgaria)! In short, many great actors from Botswana like Ricardo Mokwena, Donald Molosi and so many action stars across the world will appear in the film!

My film business partner Yibain Emile-Aime Chah aka “Ancestor” (an award winner Director of Photography) and I will produce ‘Guns and Flowers’ an action drama film about illegal human organ trafficking in Africa where I star as lead hero. Actor Khalil Maasi will be an Associate Producer as well as act in it. There are many other film projects I’m working on underground which I can not yet mention but with time more information will come out about these movies.

THJ: You certainly have a lot of exciting projects in the works! Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. We appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your career, and we wish you continued success with your upcoming projects.

Aurélien Henry Obama: I want to thank you for the opportunity given to express about my profession as an actor, filmmaker and martial artist. God bless you indeed.

THJ: That wraps up our interview with Aurélien Henry Obama. His journey as an actor, filmmaker, and martial artist is certainly unique, and it will be exciting to see where his career takes him next. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the interview, and if you’d like to keep up with his latest activities, you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.