Abraham Attah lied about his age – ‘Beasts of No Nation’ director

Cary Fukunaga, director of the movie Beasts of No Nation has disclosed in an interview that actor Abraham Attah lied about his age when they initially met him.

Fukunga told magazine Vulture Attah thought he would’t be selected so he opted to lie about his real age.

“When we were shooting he kept saying he was a different age because he thought that we wanted him to be younger. So he was 14, but he kept saying he was 12. We were like, “You’re fine whatever age you are. You just look younger. It’s fine.” He’s 15 now.”

Abraham won Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at Venice Film Festival months ago for his role in the movie.

He played the role of Agu, who when civil war engulfs his West African country is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters.

Based on the 2005 novel of the same title by Uzodinma Iweala, the movie was partly shot in Ghana and also stars Ama K. Abebrese, David Dontoh and Grace Omaboe.

It will premiere on October 16 on Netflix and in US Theatres.