October 2009 | blackfilm.com | SKIN | An Interview with Tanedra Howard

October 2009

SKIN | An Interview with Sophie Okonedo

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SKIN
An Interview with Sophie Okonedo
by Wilson Morales

October 29, 2009

From her breakout role in 'Dirty Pretty Things,' to an Oscar nomination for her performance in 'Hotel Rwanda,' followed by an ensemble piece in 'The Secret Life of Bees,' one can say that Sophie Okonedo has been getting quality roles lately.

The London native currently has a film called 'Skin' where once again, she delivers a phenomenal performance.

'Skin is one of the most moving stories to emerge from apartheid South Africa. Sandra Laing (Okonedo) is a black child born in the 1950s to white Afrikaners unaware of their black ancestry. Her parents are rural shopkeepers serving the local black community who lovingly bring her up as their white little girl. But at the age of 10, Sandra is driven out of white society. The film follows her 30-year journey from rejection to acceptance, betrayal to reconciliation, as she struggles to define her place in a changing world.

Opening on Oct. 30, the film is directed by Anthony Fabian, and also stars Sam Neill, Alice Krige, Tony Kgoroge and Ella Ramangwane.

In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Okonedo talked about the film and her upcoming role as Winnie Mandela.

What attracted you to this film?

Sophie Okonedo: I just thought the story was so extraordinary. I had not heard about it or Sandra Laing before. When I got the script, I didn't realize it was a real-life story and I was hooked from there.
How much research did you do?

SO: I really didn't do that much research. I actually read most of the story as we got closer to shooting. From reading the scripts lots of times, I tried piecing her journey and be familiar with her. Then I just used my imagination. With this film, there wasn't time to rehearse. We're just trying to get the film made. On a big studio film, there's time for everytime, depending on the budget.

Where did you shoot the film?

SO: We shot the film is South Africa, in a place that's about an hour away from Johanesburg.

With your father being Nigerian and mother, an Ashkenazi Jew, how do you think you relate with Sandra?

SO: With all the characters I've played, I think I can relate to all of them. It's just a shorter journey than what the characters have gone through. I'm also from a mixed background, but quite different from Sandra's.

How was working with Sam Neill and Alice Krige?

SO: Sam is so cool and so Alice. They had a nice time filming. Because the film had a low budget, we spent a lot of together and bonded.

How was working Tony Kgoroge again?

SO: Tony's a lovely person. We worked before on 'Hotel Rwanda,' and he's a very good actor. I think he's doing a lot of films now in America. He's in the new Clint Eastwood film, 'Invictus,' with Morgan Freeman.

What next for you?

SO: I did a piece for BBC where I play Winnie Mandela. It's called 'Mrs. Mandela.' It covers a thirty year span from when she's very young and first meets Mandela, to the last week after he's released from jail in 1990. I think people will be shocked at the story.

Do you like playing real-life characters from Tatiana Rusesabagina in 'Hotel Rwanda,' to these last two films?

SO: I know. I keep on getting these roles, and they are all from Africa. I don't mind at all.

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