The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Viola Davis: 'I always thought my past was my weakness'

2022-09-25T03:58:10.212Z


In The Woman King, an epic and feminist film, the actress, also a producer, plays Nanisca, general-in-chief of the Agojie, an army of women who protected the kingdom of Dahomey in the 19th century, in West Africa. Self-promotional interview.


Miss Figaro.

- Why is this film important to me?


Viola Davis.

-

Because it highlights unknown warriors.

Because it tells a dark story that has nothing to do with civil rights and slavery, even though those topics are important.

Because adventure films are generally carried by men, and not by black female characters.

With JuVee, the production company that I founded with my husband, we want to share a progressive vision of cinema, which moves the cursors.

Read alsoViola Davis: “Anger has value when it is healthy, it provokes movement, action”

What do I share with my character?


Her need to have purpose, to count, and to come to terms with her past.

I have always sought to heal the young Viola of Central Falls who lived prostrate in poverty.

My shooting secret?


I trained for three months practicing martial arts three hours a day, lifting weights.

And I almost dropped everything!

I was a badass

kid

, but now I'm 57!

It was hard, really, but the magic worked: as I transformed, I felt capable, strong, proud of my body.

In video,

The Woman King

, the trailer

What do I think when I look at myself in the mirror in the morning?


"Oh my God !"

(Laughs.)

First I see the passage of time.

And, the next minute, I tell myself that we have to accept it, that this is the objective to be achieved.

Is my best film necessarily the one I just finished?


In this case, yes.

This film comes from the heart, unlike others.

Not all are passion projects.

Talking about me on promo, is it a chore?


Yes, if I have to get up too early!

The subject that makes me go out of my hinges?


diversity in cinema.

It irritates me that I am systematically asked this question which should be addressed to the guardians of the temple.

How does this work resonate with my current state of mind?


In the film, Nanisca tells her protege, Nawi, "I wasn't brave enough."

It's also how I feel when I'm not myself.

I want to make bold choices, not be afraid of failure, accept my vulnerability.

I have always thought that my past, which is neither beautiful nor perfect, was my weakness.

But I ended up understanding that by embracing my journey, I was stronger.

I finally understood that by embracing my journey, I was stronger

Viola Davis

My attitude on a set?


Serene, focused.

Desperate sometimes on

The Woman King

, especially when men twice my size were charging towards me.

Am I lying in an interview?


Obviously !

Nobody wants to hear that I'd rather take a nap than be here.

(Laughs.)

But as Julia Roberts says, "When you're not sure, pretend."

Do I still have the sacred fire?


This question typically invites lies, but I'll be honest.

For my own career, I no longer really have the sacred fire.

My passion evolved with my goals.

I make my choices today with the desire to pave the way for young actresses like Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch or Sheila Atim, my partners in

The Woman King

.

And it's not a sacrifice, it's even egocentric.

If my help allows them to get good roles, I will grow out of it.

The review that makes me happy?


For this movie, I would like viewers to say that it made them want to bring out the warrior in them.

In this difficult and discouraging context, it would be a victory.

Source: lefigaro

All life articles on 2022-09-25

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.