We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindi Cecile and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lindi, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’m driven by change, variety, and novelty in my life, and it’s the same for work. Excitement is what puts me to work. And there’s nothing I’m more excited about than acting (in theatre and film) and set/production design. I love it because every project is different and requires something new of me. This career is truly how I think I’ll get the most out of life. I would have forever wondered what would have happened had I not pursued the arts. I figured that there really isn’t a single “easy” life path, that every career would have its difficulties and challenges, and so it made sense to just go the route of the things I loved anyway.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an theatre and film actor, and I create a lot of my own projects, which allows me to have more creative control and to experience the whole process of filmmaking from beginning to end. I am inspired by fantasy, horror elements, myths and creatures. This has become a central theme in my projects. I love tapping into the weird, the strange and sometimes the scary parts of the human experience. I like to show the world sides of my characters which we are often too embarrassed to show in real life. I moved to LA from South Africa almost 5 years ago, and that alone has been anything but easy. I got through it because I have really good people in my life, and I’m still going through it. I’ve learned that I need to keep going, even when things feel slow, tedious or uncertain. The important part is to keep moving.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would dedicate at least one full day to visiting the beautiful beaches along the PCH coastline. El Matador and Point Dume are some of my favourites. My friends and I also frequent Fryman Canyon for scenic hikes.
I have a host of favourite eateries: Blu Jam Cafe or Joan’s on third for brunch. Salt n Straw for ice cream, Crossroads for the best vegan food you’ve ever had in your life, Gem Korean BBQ in glendale, Ma’s for Italian food, Margaritas at El Tejano,
For shopping, Abbot Kinney and Melrose Ave are to die for, however I am also big on thrifting, so I’d take you to those hidden gems too.
During happy hour, I can nerd out about Beetlejuice, while you sip on a cocktail at Beetlehouse Bar and Grill for an awesome Tim Burton experience. I also love La Descarga – a Cuban bar with nightly dance- and music shows. For a quieter night, I’d suggest an outdoor rooftop movie screening at the Hotel Montalban, followed by a drive up Mulholland to one of the lookout spots at night to see the city from a whole other viewpoint. (This is an especially great idea for date nights too!) And if you’re up for streets full of life and interesting people, West Hollywood’s nightlife is a Los Angeles must.
And finally, I would not let you leave Los Angeles without checking out a standup show at The Comedy Store or The Belly Room. The Groundlings is another great place for this, and a personal favourite, since I’ve done a bunch of improv shows there myself.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without my family and friends. Those in South Africa and in the USA. The list is truly endless, and I talk about this all the time because I’m not sure people even realise how much they have meant to me. What seems like a small task to someone else, perhaps something like a letter of recommendation, has made the world’s difference to me. I’m forever grateful to everyone involved in my most successful film, “You Up?” (Cannes Short film festival 2020) and my amazing crew for this film, who took so much initiative and treated the project with the same love as if it were their own.
Website: https://www.lindicecile.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindi_la_vida_loca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindi_cecile
Facebook: Lindi Cecile
Image Credits
Jessica Greenhoe Elina Dmitrieva Virginia Blatter Rachael Le Blanc