A number of celebrities make cameo appearances in the action comedy Sumotherhood, which revolves around the misadventures of aspiring criminals Riko and Kane. Ed Sheeran, Lethal Bizzle, Jennifer Saunders, and Jeremy Corbyn are among the notable cameos.
Adam Deacon’s most recent film, Sumotherhood, was conceived as a response to some of the negative press he received following his breakdown. Deacon wanted to “take ownership” of the narratives that had been circulated about him.
According to the forty-year-old rapper and actor from Hackney, it was imperative to integrate his personal mental health struggles into the film he co-wrote, directed, and starred in.
“I believed that not only would it help me release my emotions, but it would also allow me to take responsibility for the narratives that the press had propagated,” he explained. “I felt that if I didn’t take it seriously, the audience wouldn’t either. And I want people to understand that recovery from a mental health crisis is possible. It’s like healing a broken limb; it’s the same with the mind.”
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Deacon’s rapid rise to fame, fueled by roles in the 2006 film Kidulthood and the 2008 film Adulthood, both directed and written by Noel Clarke, was abruptly halted by mental health issues, culminating in two breakdowns and a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
“More needs to be done to eradicate the stigma.”
Deacon now hopes that the film will help combat the “stigma surrounding mental health,” which he believes remains an issue.
“I’ve experienced that stigma firsthand. I’m sure many young men have approached me to discuss their own issues… It seems that change is underway. The media’s discourse on mental health has evolved significantly since my breakdown. However, I think further action is needed; hopefully, this film will spark a meaningful dialogue, especially among the young men who watch it.”
Deacon obtained a restraining order in 2015 after publicly accusing Clarke of wrecking his career and creating his illness.
Clarke vehemently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Years have passed since those events, and Deacon now considers Sumotherhood to be his reentry into the industry he loves.
“I found it challenging to communicate to the industry that I’m okay. I’m doing much better. I’m thriving in life. That’s precisely why I made this film: to prove to the industry that I’m still capable of working and to assure people that, ‘Look, I’ve been in this industry since I was 12; all I want to do is work, act, and direct. I love my work. It’s like a second chance.”
“When I added lines, the audience laughed.”
It was his role as the troubled teen Jay in his first film, Kidulthood, that inspired Deacon to infuse humor into the gritty London-based gang drama that established his reputation.
“Sometimes, Jay in Kidulthood came across as aggressive and obnoxious in the script. So, I added some comedic lines, and when the film was released, and I watched it in the theater, I noticed the audience laughing. It confirmed that the lines had an impact.”
He realized then that a comedy adaptation of the drama was needed, leading to his directorial debut, Anuvahood, in 2011. Twelve years later, we have Sumotherhood.
The film blends American and British elements, drawing from Brett Ratner’s 1998 action comedy Rush Hour and Guy Richie’s work.
The film’s charm comes from Ed Sheeran, Lethal Bizzle, Jennifer Saunders, Denise Van Outen, Linda Robson, and Jeremy Corbyn’s cameos.
Jazzie Zonzolo, who co-wrote and stars alongside Deacon, describes the support as “incredible” and commends Ed Sheeran in particular.
Zonzolo goes on to say, “Let me talk about Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran epitomizes professionalism. He insisted on rehearsals at his home and wouldn’t hear of us going home. He worked tirelessly, and when he arrived on set, he knew his lines inside out.”
Deacon joins in the praise, stating that Sheeran displayed “professionalism” and “creativity” throughout the production, calling him a “perfectionist.”
Furthermore, he asserts that viewers will witness a whole new side of the musical icon: “In this film, he plays a genuine actor. Much of his previous work has involved playing himself. This is a chance for a global audience to see Ed in a new light and truly appreciate his acting skills.”
