Modern day martial arts film 'Never Back Down' starring Dijimon Hounsou tells the story of a young man finding his way from a troubled past. Since the impact of 'Blood Diamond' Dijimon Hounsou' career has taken a star studded turn. Appearances for the Benin native were in '90210', 'ER', 'Alias', and 'Beauty Shop'; along with a host of other roles. Hounsou talks about his love for Martial Arts and gaining opportunities in the industry. 

What was your experience like with the film?

Djimon: The experience was great. What probably drew me to it was the love of the sport. The sport was what I knew for many years. I have a background in Kungfu and boxing myself. It was very difficult going into it. The teachers, the students of the sports... there were great amounts of people who helped us make it right. I had to do a lot of training... I'm slowly recovering from this film that we shot in June and July. I have a whole new respect for the men and women that do this.

You have been in a lot of really good roles since you started your career. A lot of actors and actresses are not that fortunate.

Djimon: I wish I had a clear answer to this question. I would be lying if I think it was one way or the other. I have been fortunate to work with so many great directors. Its a force of nature. Blood Diamond was an amazing part that I desperately needed. It's difficult to pin point exactly where all this comes from. I'd have to say that I'm just purely lucky.

The stories of Blood Diamond... When you choose different projects... true, not true... what goes through your mind... how do you rate a project as to what you will do?

Djimon: I must say that it never came easy. It's certainly a decision that I weigh heavily with myself with the projects that I've been involved with. A lot of times specifically I have to figure out what is instrumental to showcase. What am I gaining out of this project? I always go back to the basis of the story and like Never Back Down... the underlying theme of the story... that's what drew me to this... once you get involved hopefully a message comes through and hopefully the film has the essence to touch people.

You were nominated for an Oscar. Lots of actors in Hollywood have never garnered a nomination...

Djimon: Its special. The biggest award for actors in general... no matter how political it gets sometimes. Again, its never really fairly distributed. At times they hit on the money and at times its slightly off... its still quite impressive and quite special.

Being from Africa and accepted in Hollywood. How did you achieve this?

Djimon: Nothing about it is easy. It's still difficult. Once accepted you have to still prove your existence.

In what ways?

Djimon: In the sense that I have a skin tone... and my skin tone is not of the 'hour'. The stories that the studios mostly want to tell are not about our skin tone in general. It's not to say they intentionally do that. They are more concerned about stories that deal with them.

Do you see yourself as an individual that paves the way for international actors/actresses here in America?

Djimon: I probably am in a sense. Obviously I didn't get into it for my own benefits. It is challenging. Somebody has to initiate it and somebody obviously got lucky enough to break some barriers. That's a loaded question.

Your character standing in the tradition of the Sensai? Did you try to bring something special to that?

Djimon: I bring unspoken rules of the sport... once you go to a school to learn the sport, to learn how to fight and defend yourself... It's an unspoken rule that you don't use this on the street with civilians. Young men and women looking at it... you have to have some affinity for the contact sport. It's heavy on that note but at the same time... there is a wonderful message in the sense that the training itself... the physicality, the mental toughness, as the result of being a good fighter and being the spiritual attribute that comes with the sport and all of that is vital to the advancement of men and women in life. That is how I justify being part of this film instead of just being in a fight and showcase that.