Rayna Campbell talks Layla FourieBy Wilson Morales
October 4, 2013
Making its North American Premiere at the 7th Annual Festival of German Films is the thriller ‘Layla Fourie,’ directed by Pia Marais and starring Rayna Campbell in the lead role.
Winner of the Jury Special Mention at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival, ‘Layla Fourie’ is a film about Layla, who is a single mother living with her son in Johannesburg and getting by with casual work. After training as a polygraph operator she manages to secure a job with a company specializing in lie detectors and security. On her way to her new workplace she is involved in an accident which will fundamentally change her life. Layla becomes entangled in a web of lies and deceit. The truth could lead to the loss of her son.
For Campbell, who won the Best Actress award at The International Women’s Film Festival in Morocco last month for her performance in this film, the role represents a milestone in her career. Having trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, the English native has done an extensive amount of TV and theater work, and playing a lead role in a film is a big accomplishment for her.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Campbell as the film gets to premiere in LA.
How would you describe Layla?
Rayna Campbell: She’s a single mother trying to make ends meet. She gets caught in a accident and get tangled in a web of lies that spirals out of control.
What was the attraction to taking on the role?
RC: I was intrigued by just the way that I didn’t know what was going to happen until the end and I couldn’t figure out why she wouldn’t tell the truth. I was fascinated to know what was driving her to keep lying. The script was great and when I read it, I just told myself that I have to do this.
How much pressure did you put on yourself knowing you’re the lead?
RC: I started to get panic attacks. Every time I would get tired or frustrated, I would say to myself that it’s not about me. It’s about the audience. I have to give in 100 percent for the audience.
How did Pia Marais want you to play the role?
RC: Her approach was that she wanted a lot of subtlety so along the ways I would naturally overact to some scenes, and she may have wanted the opposite. She would throw in suggestions, and it might not have made sense at the time, but then later on, it made sense.
How was working with Rapule Hendricks, who plays your son?
RC: It was great because he hasn’t acted before and was very natural. Also, I didn’t think he liked me when I first met him. He was very naughty and there was already a tension between us, but it helped with our characters. He was well behaved and his mom would visit the set at times.
The message in the film is about survival and what this woman would do to maintain some existence for herself and her son. What can you say about the culture for South African women?
RC: I think if you are a mother, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, it’s the same thing. They all have animalistic tendencies to protect their loved ones. To them, it’s about doing the best thing for the child. I don’t have a child but I know I would go crazy if anything happen to them or if they were in any danger.
How excited are you for its North American premiere in the United States?
RC: I’m so happy that it’s playing here in the States. As I mentioned before, I trained here as an actress and I have many, many friends here and I have my in-laws, so it’s great that people get to see some of my work. It’s a great platform, especially in LA, the home of film and television. I feel really honored and excited.
How was shooting the production in South Africa?
RC: We shot in Johannesburg, and it was tough at times and exciting as well. When I first got the script, the setting was in London, but some things didn’t make sense. Why is she paranoid on her way to work? When we get to Johannesburg, you realize that there is some kind weird tension in the air where you never quite feel safe. Even though there is no Apartheid, there is still a sense of something you can’t quite put your finger on. You don’t if you re being paranoid of if people are being rude because of the corruption there. At the same time it was nice, and I met some beautiful people. Johannesburg is very interesting.
What’s next?
RC: I recently directed my first feature film and it’s called ‘Lapse of Honor’ and I shot that in Manchester. It’s a modern day Romeo & Juliet and based on a true story. I’ve just been editing that at the moment. I actually surprised myself being behind the camera. The thing I liked was working with the actors. I find that I have a knack for bringing out their best performances.
What’s a good reason to see ‘Layla Fourie?’
RC: It’s an amazing piece of film. It’s an incredible story and very emotional. If you are looking for a raw piece of film and not a Hollywood film, then this is the one.
Loading…