October 2003
The Matrix Revolution : An Interview with Nona Gaye
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Interviewed by Alberlynne "Abby" Harris
THE
MATRIX REVOLUTIONS
An Interview with Nona Gaye She may be Marvins daughter, but Nona Gaye is developing a name
for herself as a competent dramatic actress in this business. After a
small appearance in "Ali", in which she appeared as one of Alis
wives, Nona was cast in the sequel that the world was waiting for in "The
Matrix Reloaded". She plays the role of Zee, the sister of the two
brothers from "The Matrix" and the lover of Linc, played by
Harold Perrineau Jr. With a role like this, Nona has a chance to get more
work if the right people come see how good she is. Well, if "Reloaded"
wasnt enough, then the follow-up to it, should convince many to
give her a shot at anything. Back again for the finale in "The Matrix
Revolutions", Nona spoke to blackfilm.com about the opportunity to
be in this film and replacing Aaliyah. AH:
In this film the women are very powerful. NG: Im glad that
the brothers (Wachowski) acknowledged that women do have the strength
and the knowledge to carry out the same missions as a man would in the
same What do you think about women going to war and taking up arms so to speak? NG: I think that its a womans choice and I think
that women are perfectly What did you think of The Matrix? NG: Ive seen it seven times. The first time I saw it I walked in late and I was completely lost. Then I had to go back and see it a second time cause I was so intrigued by the special effects and I wanted to understand it. It just moved me from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Then I went back to catch things that I thought I had missed because I did become a bit obsessed with it. Nothing had hit me that hard since Star Wars. I was like a freak actually. My boyfriend at the time was like youre starting to lose it a little bit. Im like, no youre in The Matrix and you just need to get it together. You need to wake up and get plugged! I was just into it. Were you ever hesitant about taking the role because
you were replacing NG: I was not totally relaxed and it was a bittersweet undertaking at first. It wasnt that I got the role and I jumped for joy. It was definitely a feeling of melancholy and feeling ad because I lost two friends with Aaliyah in that plane crash. It was very personal to me. They went through the whole process of casting all over again. Before I got the role and after the brothers offered it to me, before I decided to say yes I called her brother Rashad and I asked them, are they comfortable with me playing the role and did they think Aaliyah would want me to do it and if she didnt I wont, Ill step back. I lost my father when I was nine years old and I know that if someone were doing a film about his life I would want the same respect. I felt that they deserved that. Rashad came back and said Aaliyah would want it finished so then it made it a little more comfortable and more acceptable. How did you relate to your character? NG:
Shes a survivor. She lost two brothers and I lost my father so I
kind of personalized while I was doing the role and thought about what
does it feel like to grow up without my father my whole life. What does
it feel like to know that he died a violent death and What opportunities has being Marvin Gayes daughter afforded you? NG:
It was definitely a blessing and a curse. I take the position that I have
definitely had doors opened because of my father. Theres no denying
it. People have said, shes Marvin Gayes daughter so
lets let her in the room. The thing about that is you can
open
NG: Ive dealt with it. Ive had people come up to me and want me to sign my name, Marvin Gayes daughter. (Laughs). Its not unbelievable and you think that you would be offended, but I was more hurt because of a feeling of identity loss. I can understand someone wanting to ask me for my autograph and have it signed that way for the longing of my father and missing what he gave to people and what his music did to people and for people and the movement that he caused when he opened his mouth to sing. Whats happening with your singing career? NG: I have an album coming out in February. Theres
no way I could give up singing; its in my blood and in my heart
and my soul. People ask me all the time which one I What has been one of the best things that fame has allowed you? Why would you choose to follow a career which is so much associated with
your Dad? You dont have any scenes with Keanu, but did you socialize with him? NG: Hes a very kind and intelligent person. I remember when I first got to Australia I didnt have anything to do for a month and a half and everyone else was working. I just sat in my hotel room alone and going crazy and Keanu asked me what I wanted to do because he saw I was bored. I said Ive always wanted to learn how to speak French or finish learning how to speak French. He said, oh thats nice. Then his assistant called back and said, weve set up six weeks at Berlitz for French lessons. Thats how kind he is. Ive heard hes done similar things for other people like buying lovely bottles of wine for the crew and the cast. Hes a very generous person. What are the meanings of your tattoos? NG: This is a Polynesian fish hook that stands for good
luck and protection that Polynesian warriors had to wear when they went
to battle. This one on my arm is a design |
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