In the blockbuster, Oscar-winner Davis plays a 19th-century women’s military unit general that Mbedu joins as a recruit. We met with two women for a conversation.
What were your first thoughts about your characters when you read the script?
Tuso Mbedu: I was very excited. I have never played such a character before. Navi is an independent and rebellious young woman. I instantly fell in love with her and being able to talk to Viola Davis right away about the project was a huge gift.
Viola Davis: What I love about Naniska is that she seems mysterious and familiar at the same time. It seemed exciting to me to gradually separate her hard core in order to find out who she really was.
How important is it for Hollywood to tell this story now?
Viola Davis: It’s important that we can tell the story of our ancestors. In most of the films I’ve done, I didn’t know exactly who my character was or what their background was. Often there was no need to discover and reinforce them in a culturally specific way. That is why it is so important that such a specifically African and black history as woman king said. I feel here that I am perceived as a black woman, and I do not need to conform to any external image.
So shooting this movie was almost like a balm for the soul?
Viola Davis: Absolutely, it was almost a healing.
A lot of people talk about cool fight scenes, but tears also play an important role. How important are tears in relation to the film and in general?
Viola Davis: I don’t care that you’re a tough warrior, after all, you’re a human being first and foremost. you have a past. People can be reminded of this with tears. We are all vulnerable.
Tuso Mbedu: In the film, Naniska has the following line: If you want to be a warrior, you must hold back your tears. I heard about people wanting to get this tattoo on their body. But anyone who sees the film will understand that this phrase is not true. In the context of the film, tears are our humanity. So, Naniska says that if you want to be a warrior, you must kill your humanity. Of course, this is not true at all. Black women in particular feel like they can handle anything and you can always dump more and more on them. With tears, you can dissolve compassion and understanding in another person and become human.
woman king will be shown in cinemas in German-speaking Switzerland from October 6, 2022.
Dossier: Interview
Source: Outnow
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.