NEW YORK, NY – by Markos Papadatos [Photos: Courtesy of Alex Javo]
Rising actor and filmmaker Alex Javo chatted with Markos Papadatos about his Greek heritage and forthcoming movie “Enzo: The Mafia’s Boxer.”
What inspires you each day as an actor and filmmaker?
I have had this dream of being a Hollywood actor since I was a child. Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington had heavy influence on me in the beginning.
What inspires me to make my own movies is obviously the great Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Clint Eastwood. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. I have lots of stores I want to tell so each day I treat as a mission to make movies and to leave my mark in the industry.
How did it feel to star, write and direct “Enzo: The Mafia’s Boxer”?
This film first started developing back in 2019. I had been studying The Godfathers, Rocky’s, Scarface and Goodfellas. The Irishman had just come out and it really inspired me to start writing my own mafia story, with the story centering around an up-and-coming boxer.
Over the years I have made 2 short film versions of it. Each to prove myself to the industry I could not only Act but also Write and Direct. Finally, I was able to go into pre-production last year and we wrapped the feature film back in March.
It was a dream to bring on Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts and Grammy nominee Frank Stallone to play the mafia bosses in this film.
What was it like working with such veterans as Frank Stallone and Eric Roberts?
I had a wonderful time working with both of them. Obviously, my connection to Rocky made it a big deal to cast Frank but I am also a huge fan of his work in “Tombstone,” “Miami Vice,” and “Barfly.”
Frank was such a delight and took his role very seriously in Enzo. He was determined to make sure it was portrayed authentically. I can’t wait for the world to see his powerful performance.
Eric was so much fun to work with. He is such a skilled actor and I had a wonderful time acting with him in many scenes. He was also very respectful to me as the director and I appreciated him being so open and giving to his performance.
One of my favorite movies growing up was “The Dark Knight” and I always loved his performance as Sal Maroni. It was a dream come true to cast him as our mafia boss. The Pope of Greenwich Village and Gypsy King are other personal favorites of mine.
How does it feel to be an actor and filmmaker in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
Looking back at the history of cinema over the past 50–100 years. I look at this era through the lens of opportunity. Think about back in the 70s and 90s where the studios took big risks on unknown directors and actors that eventually changed cinema.
I think we are in that same period now. “Obsession,” “Iron Lung” and “Backrooms” prove that. Filmmakers and Actors have the chance to be the most connected with their audiences daily with social media.
Instead of just guessing what people want, the audience are very open to telling filmmakers what they like and what they want to see.
What do your plans for the future include?
My plan is simple. Keep making movies.
I love it all. Acting, Writing, Directing and Producing. My company Javonakis Films is just getting started and we have some projects we are very excited to release besides Enzo.
Can you tell us about your Greek heritage?
Of course! I am 50% Greek on my father side. My great grandparents came from Greece with the name Jiovanakis. Which was changed to Javo. My grandfather was an architect in the metro Atlanta area and my uncle was an artist who graduated from the Aegean School of Fine Art.
I created Javonakis Films to combine the original family name with the new that has been used over the past since they came to America. Javo-nakis. What are your thoughts on the Greek-American community here in the U.S.? I grew up around Atlanta which has a fun Greek community.
The classic Greek festivals are traditional and I try to make several each year. We have 5 Greek Orthodox churches in Atlanta.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors and filmmakers?
Networking! This is as much of a who you know industry as it is a hardworking artistic one. Go out to festivals, events, get on set as much as you can.
Many of my opportunities and colleagues I’ve met on other people’s sets. That’s how I’ve built my company and connections.
What does the word success mean to you?
Success to me is when you’re doing what God made you for. I believe we all have a gift. That gift serves us by not only fulfilling our hearts but putting food on the table.
If you are doing what you love, around people you love and are constantly raising the bar each year. I see that as success.
What would you like to say to our readers about “Enzo: The Mafia’s Boxer”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
You’re not going to want to miss it! Eric and Frank are wonderful in this movie. We also have more fantastic stars in the making who do stunning work in this film.
To learn more about actor and filmmaker Alex Javo, follow him on Instagram.
