Meet Ezekiel Lazaroo

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ezekiel Lazaroo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ezekiel, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Purpose can be many things. When you’re 18, it might be moving out of your parents’ home. At 24, it could be landing a better job. By 30, it might be marrying your partner. Essentially, purpose is what you make of it. On the other hand, being passionate about what you do can also serve as a purpose. For instance, if you’re passionate about human rights, that becomes your purpose. You wake up each morning knowing you have a meaningful job to do.

Purpose can revolve around your immediate circle—family, friends, and community—or it can encompass larger issues like human rights, climate change, war, and cultural extinction. Each person’s purpose is unique to them.

Finding your purpose isn’t always easy, but it requires deep reflection. It’s about discovering what motivates you to get out of bed every morning and keep striving, even at 70 years old.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a filmmaker, and it’s an interesting career to pursue, especially in these post-WGA/SAG strike times. However, I always try to stay optimistic. I saw an Instagram story recently where someone said, “The entertainment industry is not for everyone. It’s best to get out when you’re healthy and sane.” It made me wonder whether I made the right decision. But as I thought more about it, I realized why I got into film: it’s because film is a tool for me to share my perspective and story on certain topics.

I never wanted to make film my definite career because I could see myself doing other things, like building a business. However, I want film to be what people remember me by. That’s why I do it: to leave a legacy. Film has that power. Nobody thought that “The Night of the Hunter” would be considered one of the greatest films ever made because it bombed with critics and audiences initially, but now it’s seen as one of the most influential American films of all time.

I’m not saying I want my films to be like that, but I want them to serve as a gateway for people to learn about where I come from, particularly my Kristang culture, which is very close to extinction. That’s why I feel film is special.

Currently, I’m in the midst of a few projects. One is a documentary with the working title “The End of the Bay,” which I’m assisting my partner on, and the others are short films I’m developing based on my senior thesis film about family and death. I’ve also been planning a feature, but that requires time since it’s a period piece based on where I come from.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

“Have faith, be open, and never give up” are three essential qualities that have significantly impacted me throughout my journey. These qualities will undoubtedly keep you going. Of course, it’s easier said than done. There have been times when I couldn’t uphold my own principles because of how tough the circumstances were. Sometimes, when you face a problem that seems to have no solution, the only thing you can do is sleep, cry, and then wake up the next day and fight for what you want, upholding your values. Life is hard, but you become tougher as it gets harder.

I’m by no means a master of life, and I’m also not in a position to give definitive advice because I’m still learning and have a long way to go, so take this with a grain of salt.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

There are so many people to thank: my family, my partner, her family, and my friends. I owe a great deal to them and hope to repay their support someday. I’m also grateful to the industry professionals and acquaintances who have shared their insights into the entertainment industry. Without their help, I wouldn’t be where I am today. There is still much to accomplish, and I’m excited for when it all begins to unfold.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ezekiellazaroo.wixsite.com/ezekiellazaroo
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/ezekiellazaroo

Image Credits

Juan Dominguez