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Djimon Hounsou shares career highlights and debuts ‘calabash’ at AfroBerlin conference
The Gladiator actor shares behind-the-scenes stories from Spielberg’s 'Amistad'
Djimon Hounsou shared insights from his three-decade-long career during a keynote at the 2026 AfroBerlin conference, reflecting on his breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad and unveiling his latest venture, Fanaticus Media Group (FMG).
Hounsou recalled his audition for Amistad, noting the challenge of performing scenes in African languages with minimal preparation.
“I paused to try and process the scene, and she started asking me if I needed more time. I was so frustrated that I began the audition by cussing her out in my language,” he told the Berlin audience.
He emphasized the hurdles of producing films about the African diaspora, noting Spielberg financed Amistad with $40 million of his own money amid skepticism from Hollywood insiders.
The veteran actor, whose credits include Blood Diamond, Gladiator, and Marvel and DC titles, announced FMG’s first film, Calabash, which premiered at AfroBerlin.
The culture-clash comedy explores the meeting of African and African-American families, highlighting shared heritage and differences.
Hounsou explained his mission with FMG: “Purpose-driven storytelling can uplift the youth of Africa and strengthen connections with its diaspora.”
He also highlighted upcoming projects, including Zealot, a thriller set to release internationally later this year.