Tuesday, May 20, 2008

chew-uh-tell edge-ee-o-four


He's played a drag queen, a pianist, sidekick to Denzel Washington (twice), an underground political rebel, and now a jiu jitsu teacher in David Mamet's "Redbelt." One of the most mercurial actors working in cinema right now, Chiwetel Ejiofor fits easily into the Mamet universe of repetitious speak and moral complexity. His role as teacher Mike Terry is perhaps a symbol of those of us who want to do good in a world that can often be very bad. Ejiofor talked with NPR about how that idea mirrors the teachings of jiu jitsu, what it's like to spar with David Mamet (a jiu jitsu enthusiast himself), and what it's like to strut around in a sequined gown and blonde wig. Click here to listen.

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