A few hours before the start of the HeroFestival which takes place on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November at Parc Chanot, in Marseille, we find ourselves at the Marriott hotel, near the Vélodrome (8th), Michael Malarkey, interpreter of Lorenzo “Enzo” St John in the series Vampire Diaries. The Lebanese-born British-American actor, known for his musical talents, traveled back and forth from Atlanta where he lives with his wife and children. Very comfortable and smiling, the young forty-year-old immediately strikes up a conversation and discusses his acting career, his life across the Atlantic and the attachment he has for his fans.
There is a community of fans who are extremely attached to the lives of heroes. How are you approaching this Marseille convention this weekend?
There are a lot of people at conventions. Above all, I have immense respect for the fans. I like to take the time to chat with everyone and take photos. Even if it's exhausting in the end (laughter). We might collapse at any moment, but I don't feel jaded at all. I enjoy every moment of it. Going all over the world, interacting with spectators, it's magical. I have a very different life when I'm home in Atlanta with my family. Everything is calm there… An ordinary dad's life, so to speak.
Is this HeroFestival in Marseille a first?
A first, yes absolutely! I know Paris well having spent time there. It’s just great to be able to come to France to eat “real” bread and drink “real” wine (laughs)! Nothing to do with what I know elsewhere.
You played the character Lorenzo in “Vampire Diaries.” You now play the role of Markus in the second season of the spy series “The Night Agent”, on Netflix. Are you the type of actor to “live” for months with your character?
This role in Vampire Diaries (recurring role in season 5 then main role in seasons 6, 7 and 8, Editor's note), it was my first role in an American TV series after drama school in England. Playing in this series was a wonderful surprise. It's an important role where there is this love story between Enzo, my character, and Bonnie. I'm on something else now. Even though these two roles are different, I try as much as possible to approach them in the same way. TV and platforms are a gateway for us, the actors, so we have good reasons to rejoice.
Are you also a musician?
My life is not compartmentalized at all. For me, everything is linked. I am an actor but also a singer, composer and guitarist. Each element nourishes the other. Whether it's television, music, raising my children and everything in between.
How did you react to Tuesday's election of Donald Trump?
I was born in Beirut. My father and grandfather created a peace foundation. Then, I grew up in Cameroon before leaving for Great Britain. Now I am based in the United States. Donald Trump is a pure product of capitalism. Today we're talking about America. But populism affects Hungary, Italy, France. The left has not done enough to meet the expectations of the population. Prices rising, wages falling, the working class suffering: now is the time to roll up our sleeves and meet people's expectations.
HeroFestival, the meeting place for superhero fans
Pop culture fans have a busy schedule this weekend. “Beyond the meeting with the actors, different universes are reconstituted around series, mangas, comics, comics, cosplay“, promises Annabelle Fouques, creator and organizer of the event, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. On the menu of the festival which should attract more than 40,000 visitors: three stages, more than 200 exhibitors and activities, around a hundred artists including some faces well known to the general public.
Series fans can meet the Franco-American actor from Stranger Things Raphael Luce, the actress Natalia Tena seen in Game of Thrones et Harry Potterand obviously Michael Malarkey. During the weekend, they are there to answer questions from participants. Fans will also be able to have their photo taken with them and get autographs. Also on site, “voices” from series, a book and manga village, and disguises.
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November at Chanot Park (8th). From €12. The entire program can be found on herofestival.fr
