We Speak Actors
From Mexico to LA to SA: actor Alonso Grandío on his exciting and varied acting career
Mexican-born Alonso Grandío started acting in 2013 when he moved to Los Angeles. After four years, South Africa was calling – and now Alonso’s career is going from strength to strength. He played characters in South African TV series ‘Rhythm City’, ‘Legacy’ and ‘The Docket’, and landed a breakthrough role in Olivier Megaton’s film ‘The Last Days of American Crime’. Here he talks about his childhood imagination, the people who inspire him, and moving into writing and producing…
What have been your favourite acting experiences?
“I’ve been blessed to be a part of some of the biggest TV series here in South Africa – ‘Rhythm City’, ‘Legacy’ and ‘Binnelanders’. It’s still mind-blowing that people will come and ask me about my characters and what they’re up to; I think that shows it’s been a great project, something that left an impact. Working with the best of the best has been a dream come true.”
What are you currently working on?
“There are a few on the cooking pot right now, but I’ll be making an appearance in the hit TV show ‘Diepe Waters’ as Mr James. We also just finished production on a character arc for the long-running ‘Binnelanders’ as Julio Herrera.”
“A couple of projects are in pre-production as we speak, but the most exciting one has to be ‘Bloody Proposal’: this is the first film I’ve written, alongside the brilliant Ferdinand Gernandt.”
“We’ve received a ‘recommend’ status through coverage in Los Angeles, and we’re currently developing the film.”
Who have you enjoyed working with?
“Wow, so many people come to mind. The Mexican actor Jorge Luis Moreno – we instantly had this brotherly bond when we met, which served us well when we were in the 2015 short film ‘Camarillo St.’ The amazing indie directors Jaime Carbajal and Eduardo Hidalgo. Olivier Megaton, director of ‘The Last Days of American Crime’ for Netflix. And more recently I’ve been blessed to work with masters of their craft here in South Africa: Justin Strydom, Clint Brink, Bianca Amato, Amo Chidi, Jesse Suntele, Jolette Roux, Charl Van Biljon… The list goes on and on, but humility comes to mind. Everybody is at the top of their game, but they are incredibly grounded and kind human beings.”
Any future projects that you’re looking forward to?
“I can’t wait to start production on ‘Bloody Proposal’. I’m hopping into the producer’s chair and learning as much as I can from incredible people. We currently have the acclaimed South African actor Sean Cameron Michael in the project; it has been a dream so far. This fast-paced film will definitely excite audiences. There’s comedy, action and horror elements to send chills down your spine… Honestly, just talking about it makes me want to start production already.”
How did you get started in acting?
“It might sound cheesy, but I’ve always been a bit of a storyteller. Pair that with an over-the-top imagination and I think you get an actor. My mom still tells me the story in which, as a child, I told her that the three wise men visited us, complete with robes and animals. Did it really happen? That’s for you to decide. “
“Professionally speaking, I think my first paid acting job was ‘Furious 7’, as a young actor in LA. I was over the moon.”
Who’s helped you get where you are today?
“In this industry, it takes a village. So I want to thank all the amazing, talented friends and colleagues who are beside me. And of course my beautiful wife Monique Grandio – without her, none of this would be possible. It has been a heck of a ride so far, and it is only the beginning.”
Featured photo credit: Production company Arcade Content, DP Justin Prins
We Speak Actors
Robert Besta appears opposite Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in new Netflix film ‘Back In Action’
‘Back In Action’, dropping tomorrow on Netflix, is a fast-moving action comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx as a middle-aged couple with children who are pulled back into being spies after their secret identities are exposed. Among the star-studded cast (the film also features Glenn Close and Andrew Scott), German actor Robert Besta plays an Eastern European oligarch who possesses some highly sensitive data that the couple want to get their hands on…
Robert, who was born in Poland and grew up in Germany, is an actor and musician known for the films ‘Treasure’, starring Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry; ‘And Tomorrow the Entire World’, directed by Julia von Heinz; and ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin’, directed by Todd Komarnicki.
Robert is also renowned for playing villains in the German TV shows ‘Die Fallers’ and ‘Tatort’, and he brings this skill for evil to his new Netflix role.
“I was happy to slip into the role of the dodgy businessman!” he said. He added that the Hollywood stars in the film were remarkably relaxed:
“It was an incredible and wonderful experience to be in front of the camera in such a big production. Working with Cameron and Jamie was super-relaxed and enjoyable.”
“Both greeted me warmly before the shoot and I chatted to Cameron about everything, so we had already got to know each other beforehand and were able to ease into the scenes. In addition, Jamie always kept everyone in a good mood between the takes and entertained everyone with little jokes and dance interludes!”
Robert speaks German, Polish, English and French and used all his languages in the film, with an Eastern European accent layered on top. Filming took place in London, UK and Atlanta, Georgia, and Robert did a lot of preparation for his role: “I prepared as I would for any other shoot: understanding the world in which the role is set, creating a role biography that I can connect with as much as possible, finding out what the goal of every scene is. It takes a lot of preparation to be able to let go of everything on set and be completely with your partner and in the moment.”
He said it was fascinating to see how everything in the film was planned down to the smallest detail, and yet the actors were still given the opportunity to improvise. He explained:
“For example, we invented a completely new scene on set with my film daughter, that wasn’t even in the script.”
“Seth, the director, instructed her to act out a scene with me: he called out lines, she acted them out and everyone was really enthusiastic about it.”
Robert’s acting career began in theatre – after studying at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, he became a regular actor at the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe. He said: “I didn’t know Karlsruhe until then and had no intention of staying – well, I still live there. In fact, it’s the longest time I’ve ever been in one place in my life.”
After appearing on the red carpet for the premiere of ‘Back In Action’, Robert’s year continues in a similarly high-octane vein, as he prepares to tour with his indie band MICOR as well as work on more exciting TV and film projects.
‘Back In Action’ premieres on Netflix on Friday 17 January.
Featured photo credit: Netflix/John Wilson
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