RADAR

CULTURE

The Zimbabwean actor and award-winning director shares his love for Mordor, meditation and Matobo

The first album I bought was Bob Marley Greatest Hits. I love Marley’s music and I appreciate the important messages within his songs. I’m deeply inspired by him as an artist and as a person.

At the moment I’m listening to “Makambo” by Ugandan musician Geoffrey Oryema, from his 1990 album Exile. This track puts me in a deep state of relaxation, and it’s great to listen to while reflecting.

Before I perform I do a brief meditation where I immerse myself in the world of the character I’m playing. I then bring my awareness to my surroundings and focus on the moment unfolding.

My top podcast tip is that ice baths are great for you. I heard this great piece of advice from Wim Hof.

I’ve been most influenced by Peter Jackson’s Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I was blown away by the incredible world that he created on screen. The scale of the vision was amazing, and of course I love JRR Tolkein’s story. One day I would love to be part of telling stories of that magnitude.

The films I watch obsessively are Lord Of The Rings, obviously, but I also love Spirited Away, The Lion King, Shawshank Redemption, Apocalypto... It’s hard to choose, I have so many favourites.

The film I wish I’d been part of is Lord Of The Rings. It’s one of the greatest modern artistic achievements.

The book by my bedside is The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. It’s so beautiful and has such profound meaning. It has inspired me to let go and be more accepting of things in life which are out of my control.

My favourite place in the world is the Matobo Hills in the south east of Zimbabwe. It’s right on the doorstep of my hometown of Bulawayo so I’ve been visiting this magical place since I was a child. It’s played host to many wonderful adventures for me and my friends.

I’d really like to meet Lord Of The Rings director Peter Jackson. I’m deeply inspired by the dedication and masterful work he put into the Lord Of The Rings films. I would ask him a million questions!

I’m really excited about releasing my new feature film Hidden Within later this year. It’s a thriller/mystery that I wrote and directed, and we filmed it in Bulawayo.

I recently acted in a new action/comedy movie London Calling alongside Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor, directed by Allan Ungar.

At the moment I’m on set working on a TV series about King David.

This year is going to be busy. As well as acting jobs at home and abroad, and directing and producing projects in Zimbabwe, I want to create as much art, and meet as many new people, as I can.

Hidden Within is out in 2024.
IG: @danny_lasker