Babs Olusanmokun is having an incredible year. After returning to the “Dune” franchise as Jamis in “Dune: Part Two,” the actor will next be seen in Guy Ritchie’s “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”, which opens in theaters on April 19. The Nigerian American actor is also a cast member of the “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” series, portraying Dr. Joseph M’Benga. One of the perks of his job is filming on location, he told us: “For ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,’ we shot in Turkey and England. Turkey was so fun and welcoming. It’s such a huge country.”
Q: What does shooting on location provide you as an actor?
A: It brings a certain authenticity that’s very difficult to capture in a studio. [For instance] on Jeymes Samuel’s “The Book of Clarence” we shot in Matera, Southern Italy. Such a stunning place! Matera is one of the longest continuously inhabited places on earth. We’re talking thousands of years. I was in awe anytime I walked around.
Q: How do you maintain your health while working almost nonstop?
A: It’s been busy in a really good way for me. You won’t catch me complaining! I always make an effort to keep it together health wise wherever I am in the world. I make use of the hotel gym at least four days a week. If not, I go for runs outside or even do cardio in the hotel room. I’m a stickler for fitness. As for nutrition, I start with hydrating with water consistently during the course of the day. Then I simply make sure I eat well also. I’ve been lucky with the quality of healthy food in the various locations I’ve worked at so far.
Q: Where did you shoot the “Dune” films?
A: For “Dune,” I shot initially in Budapest, which is quite wonderful architecturally. The city is also very welcoming. They’ve got grand boulevards and the Danube River running through demarcating the hilly Buda and lower plain Pest – hence Budapest. Budapest also has some very good restaurants. I shot the bigger chunk of my role in “Dune” in Jordan. The majestic desert of Wadi Rum, also the shooting location for films like “The Martian.” It was a real blessing to be working in that incredible natural setting. Words can’t really convey its beauty. I also found myself in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi for “Dune: Part Two.” What a beautiful landscape. Such glorious sand dunes!
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I’d say my favorite vacation spot is the South of France. It’s got great weather and unbelievable cuisine.
Q: As the son of a diplomat, I understand that you grew up around the world. How did that affect you?
A: It was really wonderful growing up like that. I think I just took it in stride as a kid and simply enjoyed it. I was always up for the adventure of traveling even though you do have that constant restart and discovery of new relationships. I’m a lot more appreciative of the experiences now as an adult, of course. But even as a kid, I sensed it was something of a privilege. It was special to make friends from literally all over this world of ours. Very grateful for it all.
Q: Did you study Brazilian jiu-jitsu when you lived in Brazil?
A: I actually only started training when I moved from Brazil to New York City after high school. I was still more of a karate kid in Brazil. [Laughs.] I’ve been a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt for a long while now. It’s an incredible art form that I hold dear.
Q: What would you like people to know about Nigeria?
A: Lagos, where I was born, is vast and quite fast paced. Lots of people are working hard to make a better life for themselves. Lots of Nigerian artists – musicians especially – have gone global. Lagos is where you can go and listen to them on their way up.
Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?
A: I did a school trip to a place called Mont-Saint-Michel. It’s this very old walled city in Normandy, France. It was quite magical. It’s a tidal island. I remember it being the first time I learned about quicksands and the danger of it.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: That people can be different, yet so familiar at the same time. That regardless of how much we differentiate ourselves, we still have a commonality with other cultures that we should take note of. Pretty much, don’t be narrow-minded. It will simply keep you small.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: The Berkshires and Paris.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I speak Yoruba, Brazilian Portuguese, French and some Spanish.
Q: What are your five favorite cities
A: Paris, New York, Lagos, London, Cape Town.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: I’d love to visit Japan – and Asia in general.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A: If it’s a city, I will look for interesting neighborhoods and good restaurants.
(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow “Go Away With…” on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)