TIPTOPSTARS

 Cameroonian Born Adiang Assoue Thomas Germain who left Cameroon for an adventurous journey to South African is today one of Brazil's shining stars and celebrity.Tommy Germain  started his career as a local communicator at FM 105 Douala  and Mouth Cameroon FM for Cameroon Footpools. A graduate of one of the best schools of theatre arts, Tv and Cinema (teatro escola macunaima,escola de teatro tv e cinema Incenna; and universidade Internacional Anhembi Morumbi) now specialising in theater arts directing. Tommy Germain has won various scholarships and awards in movie directing,script writing,acting,singing,cinematography,lighting ,editing and arts directing. Tommy  has participated in short and long movies,mini series,soap operas, plays,video clips , webserieses, as well as being a model  in various commercial adverts  and Billboards across Brazil. TIP TOP STARS caught up with Tommy Germian  during one of his Busy schedules presently shooting for a Web series and this is what he had to tell us:

[TG] Born in Limbe/Cameroon, sixth son of nine children of the same mother and father. After high school I left for South Africa but got hooked up in the then war thorn Angola from where I left after four years in the Diamond fields for Brazil to start a new life in the cinema industry

We See your Path to Brazil was not quite an easy one can you tell me Us more about this.

[Tommy Germain TG] Living in Angola during the war was not quite easy. I learned to speak and write the portuguese language without any formal help and immediately after the peace treaty of the main political parties like MPLA,UNITA and FNLA in 2004 I decided to fly to Brazil and start a new life thanks to the cultural influence of Brazil in Angola.

[TTS] when did you develop the passion  for film and being an actor.[Childhood dreams..!?

[TG] Actually my passion for films is far back in my childhood days when we use to gather -  my brothers  and some friends to watch Brazilian novelas and American soap operas like Dinasty,dallas,escrava Isaura, virginia etc. I did not hesitate in finding    an acting school when I arrived here.

You are now a successful Actor in The Brazilian Cinema - on stage  -Drama as well  Tv serials. Can you tell us about  this?

[TG] As a matter of fact I have participated in quite a number of plays on stage like drama,comedies,musicals,tv serials,publicities,cinema etc. Uptill date I continue doing stage plays as a form of recycling my skills and it helps in my various selections in films in and out of Brazil.

[TTS] How does it feel like playing most of these roles in Portuguese? Which has been your best role so far which one has been challenging?"Don't let the flame of your dreams die out no matter what you might be going through now. Believe in what you got in you and make it shine,let the world know it. Put a smile on somebody's face today and you will surely laugh all day long."[TG]

[TG] Frankly it feels so good and challenging at the same time. Considering the fact that portuguese is neither my first nor second language, I have to put my best to satisfy my public like wise my director. My best and most challenging role so far has been on stage where I played the role of a mexican in a play titled (TRIBOBO CITY) which by then I had very limited  knowledge of speaking the spanish language. You see on stage plays the actor runs the show while in cinema the director runs it. What I mean is that the actor can improvise on stage but mind you not to leave your public confused and going home not satisfied with the play and wanting to see some other actor interprete the same role ; there your fame becomes a negative one. This helps to build the actor's skills and make him more responsible with his fellow acting partners and the public. It creates a link with the public as the actor quickly understand the public's reaction and  rectifies any error in the play. There is no right for mistakes on stage except you want a bad fame.

[TTS] What is the response of the Brazilian audience to your performances?

[TG] Wonderful is the appropriate word. With references to the hugs, words and mails of encouragement I receive after each play;also the nominations I've had as an actor and film director from associations and film boards like (kinoforum) and (cinecufa) from são paulo and Rio de janeiro also from the ministry of culture in são paulo

[TTS] What Genre of Movies do enjoy taking up roles in?

[TG] Movies that reveals socio economic,cultural,religious and political issues of the society today. This genre demands a certain level of understanding from the director and the writer. Also trained actors to interprete the characters helping the viewer to live the moment eventhough  he or she might never have been to or witnessed these scenes. It demands for a workshop to the actors by the casting director.

[TTS]Telenovellas Have been popular in Cameroon: Did you imagine yourself  being an actor in  Brazil: which were your favourite Telenovelas on Cameroon TV.

[TG]To tell the truth I have never a day imagined myself an actor in Brazil,moreover Brazil was never in my plans as a country to live abroad.   My favorites were escrava isaura,virginia,terra nostra to name a few.

[TTS]How will you define your success up till now in the competitive Brazilian Film Industry? What are the challenges you face?

[TG] Woaww !!! I wouldn't use the term success this early because like you said there are still many challenges for me to overcome, but on the other hand regarding my various participations in stage plays,tv and cinema I give thanks to God for being this grateful.
The challenges are many but my struggle is relentless too because eventhough I look and try to speak like a Brazilian, some people in this field still find my accent different from that of born brazilians which is quite normal.

[TTS]You are not only an actor but also were a model for Dolce New Faces on bill Boards across brazil – How do you blend the Cinema and Modelling?   Which do you prefer?

[TG]Honestly I prefer cinema eventhough I graduated in both I love acting. Blending the two is quite easy because modeling helps keep me in good shape for eventual good roles in the cinema and publicities across brazil and the carribean (latin America).

[TTS]What inspires you to keep going and how do you keep yourself Motivated?

[TG] My inspiration is the book of st matthew 7:7. My motivation is built on my faith and in my constant quest for perfection. Self training,respect and love what I do and participations in workshops,courses of interpretation for cinema and the hope of getting to my goal. Our people say as long as there is life there is hope.My major motivation is to do the best of myself in any project I am envolved as though the success of the project depends solely on me while recognising the spirit of team work.

[TTS] What is an Ordinary week-day of yours like?

[TG]Woaww!! Frankly I am a busy man. Out of being an actor I help participations to a social welfare club of children from poor and dangerous zones called favelas or perriferias (NGO JAMAC) we give free classes of english language,acting and digital cinema,paintings etc. Infact when i'm not in school or working I spend my time with these kids.

[TTS]As an actor, is there anything special you hope to be able to accomplish?

[TG]To contribute my skills and potencials towards the realisation of set goals of the cinema industry where excellence is celebrated. Hahahahahaah and why not  become an award winner in the highest cinema platform in the universe  including western heaven hahahahaahahahaha

[TTS] If you had to describe yourself in three or four words what would you say?

[TG] Go for your dreams!!!

[TTS]What do you think your “biggest break” or “greatest opportunity” has been so far in your career?

[TG] When I played the lead role on stage in  the portuguese language. It propelled my participations in many short and long films and tv serials.

[TTS]What do you think about the Cameroonian and African film industry in General? Which are some of the Cameroonian films you have watched?

[TG] Without any doubts I congratulate the African and cameroonian film industry because within a short term of existence they are doing a very great job trying to apply more technology in the making of home videos. For me quality comes first not quantity. Also the fact of making movies that portray our cultural values is very interesting and educative to our children who are born out of Africa.
Cameroonian films i've watched are the ones manu years behind when I was still in cameroon like l'orphelin, étoile de noudi (tazibi) just to name a few.

[TTS] Do you work with other Cameroonian actors/ producer/ directors? What is your present relationship with the Cameroon film Industry? Any projects?

[TG] As a matter of fact I have never worked with cameroonians except recently that I knew some thanks to facebook .Guys like Ebot Gilbert who gave me some infos about home videos in cameroon and naah joice another cameroonian film maker who  to my greatest surprise and delight proposed a role for me in a new movie( MUD and TEARS) to be done in the USA and cameroon screen played by paul stevek
My projects for now is that I am trying to finish the writing of a long movie that will be co-directed and co-stared by myself and a Brazilian producer and friend.

[TTS] We see you have had the chance to meet with Nollywood Producers and directors in Brazil. Any projects in that Direction:

[TG] Sure I will co-direct and co- star an African movie titled (Osuofia in Brazil) early this year.this will be my first experience in the African cinema.

[TTS]Which are some of your favourite Cameroonian or African movies?

[TG]As a matter of fact I do not have favorite movies because being a graduate of the school of cinema critics in são paulo; I look upon each movie with references to the theme, illumination,musicality,special effects,plans of the images, colour etc. Each movie has a message or something to teach us in one way or the other depending on what the director has to reveal or wants to make us understand.

[TTS]Any influence or anyone you look up to when it comes to your  Career[Role Model]

[TG] Morgan freeman and Will smith

Do you have other interests or talents you would like to share with us? How do you like to enjoy your relaxation time away from the film community?

Singing is my second passion. Also,travelling and acquiring new cultures and customs that can help in my film writing career.

You have also been instrumental in the Cameroonian community  in Brazil can you tell us more?

I am the present elected secretary general of the cameroonian association in são paulo/Brazil and was member of the delegation that received president paul biya during his august 2010 oficial visit to Brazil. I had an entretien with the crtv on the dificulties and advantages of hustling in south America with little or no help from our families back home nor the government in place.

Where would you like to see yourself within the next years?

On platforms where excellence is celebrated no matter where in this universe.

What have been so far your best moments in the film industry?

Knowledge acquiring. On each film I participate I make sure I grab more infos and clear my doubts from old and experienced actors,directors etc during the launch times or back stage.

Any word of advice to aspiring Cameroonians Actors and actress? What are your wishes for the Cameroon Film and Entertainment Industry?

Keep your dreams alive. If you want something then go for it no matter what the circumstances might be, have a strong faith without which you will not be able to make it
My wish is to contribute in any way for the betterment of this industry where excellence is celebrated.

Do you have any one special you would like to thank for making your dreams come true as an artist?

First and foremost I thank God for everything, my parents who gave me the little education they could due to their financial means. The African and cameroonian community in Brazil especially the cameroonian ambassador( H.E Martin Agbor Mbeng) and his secretary Mr. Asobo for their constant moral support, not forgeting my friends like pastors Obi franklin,John nwokorie,maxwell nwanji,jonathan zepherin,fabia natercia da fonseca to name just a few.

My life is in God's hands
My talent makes me eat
I am an actor  because I love imitating others
My friends call me --- Tommy Lüchase
My fears / weeknesses are I am God fearing and I hate dissapointing my fans
My favourite TV show is friends
My favourite Movies is the pursuit of happiness
My favourite Music is Georgia on my mind (ray charles)
My  slogan is Strive for human dignity
Favorite Brazilian food  arroz feijão batata fritas com farofa e galinha.
Favorite Cameroonian food  Esuba and nzeab 'ngen
My favourite holiday is  X mas end of year

Hobbies football,tennis,sweeming,reading,watch movies & documentaries,travelling

Interests; culture,arts and entertainment