Interview by: JOY Magazine
Stelio Savante is a multilingual SAG Awards Nominee & American Movie Award winner with over three decades of award winning individual performances in highly acclaimed independent & international theatrically released films. He currently portrays a South African journalist & undercover Mossad agent opposite Jim Caviezel & Claudia Karvan in Universal (Cloudburst)’s Middle-Eastern political thriller Infidel by critically acclaimed director & TIFF winner & Berlinale ‘Cinema For Peace’ award winner, Cyrus Nowrasteh.
You have acted in some very exciting roles! Can you share the role that God has played in your life, throughout your career?
It has certainly been a challenging and rewarding journey and continues to be so. The opportunities, the roles, the films and series, the plays, the videogames, the favour, the travel to all corners of the world, the ability, the respect from my peers, the success….it is all due to the Lord. More and more the Lord is navigating my choices by giving me better discernment. Learning to say no has been tough because offers are plentiful and I clearly feel God has given me the confidence to accept roles based on quality (the script, the director, the cast, the cinematographer, etc) rather than quantity (literally working myself into exhaustion by taking on too much). God has also given me the patience and wisdom to invest in the relationships I’ve made on this journey so that He may be glorified. Helped me take the focus off myself.
Under the Stadium Lights
How does your faith in God impact your life, as an actor, husband and father?
My walk and my relationship with Jesus Christ definitely guides and navigates all three of those (Husband, Father, Actor). I’m exceedingly flawed, which means that I don’t always make the best decisions. But I’ve become much better at it. Being a husband is much more challenging than being an actor. It takes two people who are great forgivers, as Billy Graham said. I’m blessed to have a wife who loves me and accepts me. As a father it means that I have to be the best possible steward of a relationship with the Lord and of salvation. A fine line to walk because you go from hero to zero very quickly and you cannot take it personally. As an actor it means that I use discernment, both with my choices and my relationships. I don’t trust as easily as I once did because people are human and they will let you down. It also means that I have great mentors in the form of pastors and prayer partners.
You have worked on some wonderful projects, including the biblical hit drama series The Chosen, the Christian persecution action thriller Infidel, as well as other Christian films, such as Colors Of Heaven and What If? Why do you feel it is important to be involved in Christian films that deliver a strong message of faith to the world?
Thank you. The medium of film has a limitless influence on our culture and future generations. Our world is being shaped by technology, social media, films and TV instead of by God’s word. And well made films with the right message, made with artistic integrity…these kinds of projects cast a wide net in terms of audiences. The Chosen series has done that profoundly, it has reached people globally that the church itself cannot (for many reasons). But I don’t necessarily see all of these above mentioned projects as ‘Christian films’. Infidel is a political action thriller that deals with Christian persecution. Colors of Heaven is an epic adventure that deals with several characters’ spiritual redemption. I also think that Christian filmmakers need to step up their game in understanding cinema, the craft, and start making better films with real characters in them rather than focusing so much on making their films into sermons. That way their films will elicit audiences that aren’t already part of the choir. It is those kinds of films that will plant seeds and help deliver kingdom driven work that forms part of the Great Commission.
Stelio Ava Savante
How have you seen God work through the Christian movies that you have been part of?
The Chosen is a prime example of God’s amazing work. Folks all over the world have been looking for uplifting content through the Covid pandemic. It has been remarkable to hear from fans in places like China that were streaming the series during quarantines and lockdowns. Folks that had never heard the words Jesus Christ before. Families that have now become followers of His because the show has made the Lord known and relatable through the power of film/TV and given them hope. Most of my career is mainstream in all genre and not so much in these kinds of projects, so when a project with a theme of faith is well received, there is much celebration of the kingdom driven work that has been collaborated. But God is also working behind the scenes on set in the form of relationships. Relationships that last for life and help grow His kingdom.
You frequently volunteer your time, to raise funds for several charities. Why is giving back a priority to you?
I try to live my life to the fullest and experience life through relationships, through travel, though serving others. And not constantly focusing on myself, which is a very easy habit to fall into in such a brutally demanding industry. We have to keep learning and growing, we can’t stand still. That requires putting oneself last and really dedicating and committing oneself to causes that one believes in and using one’s said platform to help further those causes. Sanctification through application.
Stelio Savante Red Carpet San Diego Film Festival Cellphone Grab
You have worked with some of the most highly acclaimed and celebrated producers, directors and actors in film, television and theatre, placing you in high demand. What do you attribute your success and talent to?
It’s been pretty remarkable to see the journey, how I started, and where I am now. Not in an egotistical way, but in the form of what God has given me and how He has brought me to the place that I find myself at in my life and in my career. So I attribute my gifts and my success to God and God alone, it’s nothing that I’ve done. Many of the above mentioned are friends, they form part of my inner circle, they mentor me, we work together, I even give them roles in my films and plays. Of course my wife and my daughter believe in me and they support me which is huge. And on the creative end I have the ability to bring a very unique perspective to my roles and my characters because of the life I’ve lived. What’s the point of having all the talent in the world if you don’t know what to do with it? You have to know what to do with what you’ve been given. And because of that casting directors and directors alike have kept me busy for three decades. When people feel that you do something really well, they will hire you over and over again. I also know that having a marathon like mentality (not instant gratification or overnight success) has liberated me. Longevity is the greatest compliment to one’s work and career. I’ve had that in spades and God is responsible for all of it.
Stelio Savante and Jim Caviezal In Infidel
You were named #19 on Elle Magazine’s HOT 40 List for 2006 and ‘Man Of Style’ for InStyle Magazine in September 2007. You have also been recognized in a long list of international awards and accolades for the various roles that you have played. Congratulations! What advice would you have for any aspiring actors and actresses in South Africa?
I look back at some of those and laugh. What do they even mean, hahaha? I would encourage all artists to find out what their God given abilities and talents are. And then pursue them with a reckless abandon. Life is short, so why not learn the purpose for which you’ve been created, and then become the best that you can be at it. Take risks, be fearless. When you start out not many folks will believe in you, mostly because of their own lack of success or their own inner rancour. But embrace the naysayers, they will give you great fuel. Their struggle with your success says a lot more about them and their smallness than it does about you.
Stelio Savante and Matt Dillon in Running Grace
You have achieved international success in a highly competitive industry. Somewhere between all the highlights, brilliant roles and awards, there may have been some days when things didn’t go quite the way you had hoped. How did you pick yourself up on those difficult days and find the motivation to keep going, to ultimately see your dreams come true?
Thanks for your kind words. Undoubtedly there will be down-times. Only one person gets the role. One. Out of thousands. Lean times provide opportunities for growth and self-reflection. These kinds of challenges can either be bludgeoning vexations or they can help our faith grow. They build character and integrity. I’ve really relied on my faith in God and His will for me during those times. If I might add, having success as an actor and producer was never my dream or anything close to it. I simply discovered that I really had an innate ability for something that I loved doing, I worked at it, studied, learned as much as I could from the very best. And that faith and hard work paid off. In the form of important and influential people in the industry. They became fans, responded overwhelmingly positively to my work, to my work ethic and to my professionalism. God took care of the rest which has been icing on the cake. I barely even have to audition for most films anymore. I get direct offers because folks know my work and respond very well to it.
You recently worked as producer on an exciting football film which has just been released, ‘Under The Stadium Lights’. What impact are you hoping to see, through the uplifting message of this film?
The film actually doesn’t release until June 4th. ‘Under The Stadium Lights’ has a tremendous underdog story through its message of faith and determination. This through the lives of some young athletes caught up in a circle of challenges that inner city life presents. Based on a true story. I’m hoping that it will inspire and encourage many because it does have the elements of a David-Goliath story.
Stelio Savante in Destination Marfa
You have been quoted as saying, “South Africa is still my spiritual home.” What does that mean?
This quote was actually part of a much longer question that I was answering and was grossly taken out of context. (which journalists/the media seem to have a repetitive habit of doing) I technically never said that. So the question doesn’t really apply (sorry about that).
You have experienced such great success in the past three decades of award winning performances. What’s next for you?
I’m scheduled to shoot a fascinating thriller by a very talented Israeli director this fall. The script is just simply brilliant & the cast are all highly acclaimed. I cannot reveal anymore than that. I’m also currently attached to two outstanding projects. One written by a very brave friend, a respected actress with a huge resume. The riveting story of her childhood. She’ll be directing from her own script. I’m beyond honoured to play a role in it and help produce her story. The second is written and directed by a very recent two time Academy award winner. I can’t reveal anything further but I’ll have a role and am helping produce the film
Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
Date published: 12/06/2021
Feature image: Stelio Savante/www.facebook.com
DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
