IN CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTIAN VUNIPOLA
interview by JANA LETONJA
Christian Vunipola is a rising half-Cambodian, half-Tongan actor gaining attention for his dynamic screen presence and sharp comedic timing. He stars in the upcoming Masters of the Universe, which released on 5th June, where he appears alongside Nicholas Galitzine as Hussein, one of the few Earth-based characters and He-Man’s close friend. With standout performances in Miguel Wants to Fight and indie projects like Singing in My Sleep, as well as roles in Not Okay and Queenpins, Christian represents a new wave of talent shaping a more diverse and vibrant entertainment landscape.
What drew you to the role of Hussein in Masters of the Universe?
Most of the film takes place in this fantastical, magical world, but Hussein is just a regular dude. That fish-out-water dynamic makes me giggle just thinking about it. In this tale of heroes and villains, there was something appealing about a role where I get to bring a more fun, earthly energy to the set.
How would you describe Hussein’s role in the story and his dynamic with He-Man?
Well, I play He-Man’s Earth roommate, and I can definitely tell you that I don't think he's the best one He-Man could've picked. But nonetheless, I think that he cares for He-Man, or Adam as he knows him, more than your typical roommate would because, ultimately, they're good friends. They're bros. Within the context of the story though, I would say that Hussein functions as the comedic relief. Which I’m sure is no surprise. Look at your boy, man. You can tell that I did not have to bulk up for any action scenes, let's just put it that way.
Did you feel a sense of pressure stepping into such an iconic franchise?
Oh yeah, for sure. Getting to be a part of something that already has so much meaning for a lot of folks out there is a first for me, and I don’t take the opportunity lightly. I’m not playing a character that was a part of the original toy line or comics, but I hope audiences can feel and appreciate the effort I put into my small contribution to such a beloved franchise. It’s pressure, but that pressure is a privilege.
What can audiences expect from your character that might surprise them?
He’s got a pretty fun, unexpected taste in movies.
How has your cultural background influenced your perspective as an actor?
One huge area of overlap for both my Tongan and Cambodian sides is the focus on family. There is a shared emphasis on the importance of the collective. That fundamentally informs who I am, so it’d be fair to say it influences everything about my perspective as an actor, every furrow of the brow, every inflection in every line, every choice I ever make. But as it applies to acting more logistically, I think that cultural background allows me a more intimate understanding of myself as just one more cog in this giant filmmaking machine. I feel that, oftentimes, we actors, are so centered and our precious processes so protected, that sometimes we can forget that filmmaking is a team sport. I like to think that I do my best to hold that at the forefront of my mind.
What does representation in film mean to you personally?
I mean, the first answer that jumps to mind is that I literally wouldn’t be here without it. Every actor of color walks on the path that those before them paved. But in a broader, philosophical sense, representation on screen translates to the expansion of those subconscious limits that we have about who can be what. Chimamanda Adichie had this wonderful TED talk that literally altered my brain chemistry back in high school. I’m going to paraphrase here, but she talked about the dangers of a single story, how the perpetuation of one, monolithic, caricature is the true problem with stereotypes, not their veracity. To give you a specific example, the danger isn’t that we’re spreading lies about Asian people being good at math. The danger is if that’s where the story ends. And to me, this is where the impact of representation in film and television at its most tangible. We can tell so much more than that single story. We can show that little Asian kid out there out who’s hearing jokes about his As in math class, and maybe even more importantly we can show those non-Asian kids, Sandra Oh as a doctor in Grey’s Anatomy, Simu Liu as a freaking superhero in Shang-Chi, the chaotic, nuanced, hilarious and heartbreaking Ali Wong and Steven Yeun in Beef, the love story between Constance Wu and Henry Golding in Crazy Rich Asians, the grieving Awkwafina in The Farewell, and Key He Quan, Michelle Yeoh, and Stephanie Hsu in Everything Everywhere All At Once, which is my favorite movie of all time. Sometimes entertainment is just entertainment, but you can’t tell me that those faces on screen doesn’t mean something to people. And this is just one community. There are so many stories to be told.
What excites you most about being part of this new generation of actors?
I don’t know if it’s exciting per se, because it’s actually pretty terrifying, but I look forward to the challenge of being in the generation of actors that will carry the torch of human performance as AI continues to advance. Like I mentioned, it’s scary, but at the same time, what an opportunity, right? To go down as a part of the generation that’ll hopefully be the ones that kept this thing alive through an ever-fragmenting media landscape and the rise of a supposed doomsday technology. What a legacy that would be. I don’t think it’s wise to bet against its integration into the filmmaking process, but I hope we can work toward the ideal of it as a tool to help remove the more tedious parts of this industry, not replacing artists. Maybe that’s naive, but nonetheless, I will maintain until the day I die that art is an inherently human endeavor. I trust that audiences will want that too.
Are there particular stories or roles you feel drawn to telling in the future?
I don’t want to be oblivious to the fact that it seems like a more comedic route is the one that’s opening up to me right now. But even within that, there’s room for roles with a little more grit to them, a little more meat on the bone, so to speak. Oh, and the thought of playing a villain tickles me.
What has been the most memorable moment on set so far?
On the set of Masters of the Universe, I was lucky enough to get a small moment with Idris Elba. Like I mentioned earlier in this interview, actors of color, we’re only walking on the path those before us have paved. I just wanted to give him his flowers, let him know how highly I thought of him and everything he’s accomplished in this industry, and he threw a couple compliments back my way. I’m sure that was nothing to him, but it was everything to me. So many times you have these moments of doubt on this journey, thoughts of, “Can I really do this thing? Like… am I actually good enough?” And more often than not, you have to find that motivation to keep pushing within yourself. But to get that kind of validation from a legend like him? Yeah, he put a nice little battery in my back, for sure.
What’s next for you after this major release?
Big things, this is just the start.
TEAM CREDITS:
photography SELA SHILONI
styling WILTON WHITE
grooming SHANNON PEZZETTA
