James Damilare Speaks Volume With His Body Language In “Suky”

Thirteen minutes into the Ola Cardoso-directed action drama Suky, James Damilare’s character, the older Suky, shows up in a jalabiya, a Muslim devout, while observing an ablution. The next few scenes that come in quick succession reveal him lifting weights, which prepares us ahead for the experience of his heroism. Scenes after—the gruesome murder of his foster parents, his introduction to prison, etc.—he still has not said anything of note. Yet this goes unnoticed, feels negligible. We are drawn to his characteristic reticence, which, ironically, is uncharacteristic of many admirable Nollywood protagonists. His body language, the hard facial features, the reluctance to engage in verbal interaction, his moroseness reveal a profoundly disturbed young man. Traces of loquaciousness and curiosity from the younger version played by Malik Sanni have been lost. He seems marooned in his own taciturn world, from which he generates ambitious energy, even while entrapped in the chaotic, volatile atmosphere of Aja Prison. For someone traumatized by the loss of a father and fuelled by revenge, this is understandable.

There are Hollywood references, such as the John Wick franchise, where the main character thrives in silence. We have seen semblances of that lately in Nollywood, such as the character of Paul Edima in Editi Effiong’s The Black Book and the laid-back, older Timi in Breath of Life. We also remember Prof. Lucien N’Dyare’s mute, cagey lawyer, albeit a minor character, portrayed by Yomi Fash-lanso in Kunle Afolayan’s Citation. But this isn’t still a common call in a plethora of films that prefer to immerse the charisma of their protagonists and deuteragonists in authoritative voices and grand, sometimes awe-inspiring, speeches and gestures.

It was not as difficult for Damilare to get into the character of Suky, anyways. “Suky is very reserved just like me,” he says when I ask him about aspects of the character that resonate with him on a personal level. “ I don’t really enjoy talking unless I know you. Suky is always having a hard face and hardly smiles. I also get told about not smiling as well”.

Damilare’s passion for acting dates back to his childhood during which he was heavily involved in church drama. He initially vied for a Law degree at the University of Lagos, before he reapplied to study Theatre Arts at Lagos State University where he graduated in 2024. He has a profile with MultiChoice Talent Factory, a notable initiative that spotlights and promotes creatives; and is part of the cast of Itura, an Africa Magic series that began airing in 2022, which also stars Olawale Junaid, Yemi Solade and Seun Kentebe.

About working with notable actors like Bimbo Ademoye, Olarotimi Fakunle and Ibrahim Yekini on Suky, Damilare says, “When I got the script, I initially thought I would be overwhelmed, but after getting into character, I started seeing them as characters like me, not celebrities. So it was quite easy to work with them.” He recalls receiving help from Olarotimi Fakunle, whom he considers his godfather, regarding a character breakdown; getting insightful tips from director Ola Cardoso; and striking interesting conversations with Bimbo Ademoye particularly on her final day on set.

Like the experience of most developing actors, the role of Suky was not handed to Damilare on a silver platter. He had auditioned for the character after which he got a nod a few weeks later. But then, he had to undergo a little physical transformation to properly embody the character and help bring to life the director’s vision. “I got the information that they needed someone to play Suky, so I made an audition video and I sent it,” he says. “They got back to me within a few weeks, asking me to bulk up because I was a bit skinny for the role. In the process of bulking up, I kept updating them about my pictures, and I was good to go.”

Damilare encountered no major challenges during principal photography, but he recalls the fateful experience of being bitten by a dog while training. His resilience, however, kept him on track. “It was quite hard to train but I just had to keep pushing on with the injury,” he says. “It’s better now but I still have the scar and don’t think it’s going to ever clear off.”

My conversation with Damilare yields less words, but he overcompensates with cues that reflect a confidence in his abilities, without necessarily betraying any sense of over-excitement for the fame he seems to be getting. This confidence is what he seamlessly infuses in Suky who, throughout the film, does not allow his numerous Dambe victories get into his head. This artistic style will probably open the floodgates for more similarly gesture-driven lead roles in mainstream Nigerian cinema. “I have featured in two other projects, one of which is Son of The Soil produced by Wingonia,” Damilare informs me of his upcoming work on the Google Meet session shortly before we call it a day.