Q: What have you been working on since we shot Believe Me last summer?

A: After Believe Me wrapped, I did a movie in Australia called Cut Snake with Sullivan Stapleton. I’m actually going to the Toronto Film Festival on the 4th and Cut Snake will screen on the 5th before I come back to LA, which I’m pretty excited about. Then I did Angelina Jolie’s movie, Unbroken, which was shot in Australia as well. This year, I did an Indie called Pacific Standard Time, which was shot in LA and that was great because almost nothing shoots in LA. Going to work and then coming home to lie in my own bed at night was great. Then I did a pilot for AMC in Utah called Galyntine; I have high hopes for that. It was an amazing experience. The cast was just incredible; really beautiful people. I thought to myself, if I was stuck with these people for six years or so, I’d be more than happy – I’d be in heaven. I kind of hope it happens (laughs).

Q: Let’s talk a little more about Unbroken. What can you tell us about your character Pete?

A: Pete Zamperini is Louie’s older brother. It was a real honor to get to play him because Louie attributed everything in his life that was good to Pete. At the end of Pete’s life, dying in his bed, Louie talks about the cascade of good things that came about after Pete’s care and unconditional love. It’s pretty beautiful to get to play someone who I can identify with, especially his love for his little brother; I would die for my little brother. I loved playing someone who would never give up on his sibling and no matter what it took, he got his brother on the right track.

Q: What attracted and influenced you to take the role of Sam in Believe Me?

A: The first thing that drew me in was the dialogue, the witty repartee, the fantastic sense of humor, and the cheeky characters. Before things fall apart between the friends, the film is already engrossing and entertaining. I had the chance to sink my teeth into something meaty as an actor as the film progressed, the conflict becomes bigger, and the secret becomes more difficult to contain. There are some wonderful conflicts between characters as well as within themselves throughout the movie. Those are my selfish reasons; actors love to have good roles, great dialogue, and great conflict.

By the time I got to the end of the script, I knew I really wanted to do it because it was something that I had never seen before. It was a film I had never watched before and a script I had never read; it was really unique. It asks people to be honest with themselves about their convictions and then follow through to discover what they really believe.

Q: I was really impressed with the way you held your American accent on and off set last summer. Is that something you try to do with all your roles that demand an accent change?

A: Anytime there’s an accent I always, from the beginning to the end of the day, stay in that accent. I find that the entry point is partly technical into any accent; it’s partly a feel and it’s partly a viewpoint, but overall it’s largely technical. Once you get past the technicality of an accent, it becomes second nature. After speaking like that for a few hours or so, depending on the day, it becomes concrete and it’s totally engrained. If I was jumping in and out between takes I wouldn’t be able to maintain consistency. So for me, sticking to it is the easiest way to get the best results.

Q: What did you find to be the most unique aspect of Believe Me and the message of the movie?

A: I enjoy filmmakers from any walk of life turning the mirror on their own history, culture, beliefs, or whatever it may be. An honest look at someone’s history or the culture of their religion is always really interesting to me; and to do it as a comedy where you poke fun at the quirks of that culture to me, is really funny. I think there are faults within all cultures, religions, and humans on this planet. I think the Christian community, like everyone else, can’t escape that; we should always be willing to look at ourselves and see how we can do things better and more honestly.

There is nothing in this film that pokes fun at the heart and soul of those who follows Jesus. There are interesting man-made phenomena that have come about from religion, but it’s not just Christianity. This film is a sensational stadium-packed version of that reality. Something everyone needs to ask themselves is: am I practicing what I preach, or am I going along with the crowd?

Q: How was the set of Believe Me different from some of the bigger budget films you’ve been a part of?

A: I felt the set experience was as professional, comfortable, and exciting as any bigger budget film I’ve been a part of. I never once felt rushed, and I’ve done Indies where I’ve felt very rushed the whole time. I don’t think, with the exception of when we absolutely had to because of logistics, any of us ever used the honeywagons (actor trailer) you provided. We’re all working actors and hung out on set or near the set the entire shoot. We fed off of each others’ energy and had a great time playing heads up on the iPhone, laughing, and having in-depth discussions about the subject matters this film tackles. The whole set felt very organic; it was more like summer camp than going to work.

Q: Have you been able to stay in touch with your fellow cast members?

A: Oh, yeah. I’ve seen pretty much everybody, but sometimes our schedules don’t match up. Knighton and I have been meaning to see each other again and get a coffee or go get a drink, but haven’t been able to hang because of schedule conflicts. I think we all see each other when we can. I just saw Sinqua in Melbourne; he happened to be down there promoting a film and I got the chance to see him. It was great to see him on the other side of the planet.

Q: Growing up, did you watch more American or Australian films?

A: More American films. The market is so saturated with American films, because Hollywood is the epicenter of the Western world. It wasn’t until I got a bit older that I started getting more of an interest in the arts and film of my own country, I mostly watched Robin Williams and Jim Carrey. I used to love those wonderful American actors, particularly hilarious actors. I would emulate them around the house; that was kind of my entry point to acting.

Q: What age did you start acting?

A: When I was a young kid, ten or eleven I guess, I started doing little theatre in my hometown, it was called Rockhampton Little Theatre. When I was thirteen I did my first musical; musicals are a big deal in my town. I did the school musical every year after that through my senior year. I did my first play when I was sixteen; overall it was pretty much music theatre for me until I left my hometown. My second year out of high school I went to a place called NIDA, which is a drama school in Sydney. That’s when it probably started getting more professional, but leading up that I had always been obsessed with theatre.

Q: What was the most challenging scene in Believe Me for you as an actor?

A: At the time we wrapped the shoot, I thought it was the final scene of the film, but looking back on it, I think it was actually the argument with Callie. I really enjoyed that scene.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from last summer on or off set?

A: It would have to be going between the after party and doing behind the scenes work. Everyone was so alive and so full of joy at what we had just accomplished. It was such a special feeling and it was a special film experience. I enjoyed that day because it was filled with so much happiness, but I was so sad when it ended; I cried that last night.

To learn more about Alex, you can follow him on Twitter, @Alex_Russell , and to see all the news about his role in Believe Me, follow @believemefilm.