Barack Obama strolls around Wroclaw [VIDEO, PHOTOGRAPHS]

 

Magdalena Talik: I'm still not sure how to call you. Mr Louis Ortiz or maybe Mr President?

Louis Ortiz: As you wish. You can call me Bronx Obama.

OK, Mr Bronx Obama. I've checked that on 21 October it's been six years since you first appeared as Obama in 2008. How has your life changed since then?

Louis Ortiz: It's just incredible! Before I transformed into Barack Obama, I didn't even have a suit or black shoes, not even a passport. And now I'm travelling around the world: Japan, Australia, Korea, and now Poland. That's just great! I was an ordinary Bronx guy who sat at home and was out of work, and now I'm touring the world and meeting great people. This is so surreal it's hard to believe it's true.

But being Obama's double has its downsides, too. In "Bronx Obama" you look into a mirror and say: "That's just me. That's him and me". How is it to live somebody else's life?

Louis Ortiz: A bit weird, but it's also fun. When I put my suit on, it's as if I transformed into a superhero.

Batman or Superman?

Louis Ortiz: Precisely. People go crazy. When I take it off, I can walk down the street like other normal people.

Louis Ortiz and delighted tourists/Photograph: Tomasz Walków

You've made your name on the big screen before "Bronx Obama". You starred as President Obama in the Japanese movie "Good Bye Dear President" Was it a big role?

Louis Ortiz: It was an episode, but an important one. Apart from this, it was my début on the big screen and a good adventure, too. You know, it's great to travel in Japan, Australia, Korea and now in Poland. I can see a huge difference when I come to such places. Streets are full of garbage where I live, and people are more aggressive. Everything is more quiet here, and people tend to smile more often.

That's maybe because they see Obama?

Louis Ortiz: Yes, but even when I'm wearing my regular clothes, everything seems different than in America.

Speaking of clothes. The film shows what you used to wear before you turned into Obama: stubble, a hoodie and sports shoes. Do you find it comfortable to wear these new and smart clothes?

Louis Ortiz: It's not difficult, it's just part of my role. If you see me casual, you'll notice I can pick my nose or something. Once I've put a suit on, I'll never do this. Barack Obama is a confident man, and I also naturally gain in confidence when I put my suit on.

Barack Obama steps down from office in 2016. What will you do at the end of his term?

Louis Ortiz: I'll tell you a secret first. Hillary Clinton will take over as President in 2017. What am I going to do? Barack Obama is an icon, and he's the first Afroamerican President in the US history, a reformer. Even when he steps down, he will be on everyone's lips for a long time. If he can make it, I can make it too.

What is your normal day? Do you catch up on news from the White House?

Louis Ortiz: Now that we are promoting "Bronx Obama", my day is a little hectic. Interviews, meetings, banquets.

It's a bit like that of President Obama.

Louis Ortiz: Almost, but it's surreal. Once I return to New York, I have just one day to take a rest and then I will fly somewhere else again.

Do you still live in the Bronx?

Louis Ortiz: Yes, but in a different location. These days I live mainly in the sky as I have to fly a lot, and also spend a lot of time in hotels. I've been living for several days in Poland now, too.

Do people ask you about Michelle and your daughters?

Louis Ortiz: Of course they do, but when women want to give me a kiss I usually say that Michelle would not like it.

Louis Ortiz in Wroclaw's Rynek/Photograph: Tomasz Walków

Louis Ortiz: Have you met President Barack Obama?

Louis Ortiz: Not yet. But I am told he's known about me ever since 2008. He also started to follow me on Twitter last year, which was amazing. We once visited the East Wing of the White House with Ryan Murdock, the director of "Bronx Obama". I was walking with bodyguards and they suggested I open a door, look in and say hello. That's what we did, and all the people in the room stood up. We had a ball!

You have prepared a special speech to open the American Film Festival. Do you always do this?

Louis Ortiz: It was written by Ryan Murdock, and whenever organisers ask me to deliver a speech, I do it. I did it to celebrate Michael Moore's 60th birthday in Michigan. It was great. I met a lot of celebrities, quite a few actors and actresses. I cherish the fact that I shook hands with Dalai Lama. And that's because I' have such a crazy job.