Fana Mokoena (INTERVIEW)
Fana Mokoena
The “World War Z” Interview
with Kam Williams
A Fan of Fana
Born in on
May 13, 1971, veteran South African actor Fana Mokoena garnered worldwide
acclaim for his powerful portrayal of General Augustin Bizimungu opposite Oscar-nominees Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo
in Hotel Rwanda. He previously
worked with World War Z director Marc Forster on Machine Gun Preacher where he
played John Garang, leader of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army.
Fana’s other film credits include
supporting roles in Safe House, Inside Story,
State of Violence and Man on Ground, for which he received an Africa
Movie Academy Award. Here, he talks about his latest outing
opposite Brad Pitt in World War Z where he reunites with Forster as U.N. Deputy Secretary General Thierry Umutoni.
Kam
Williams: Hi Fana, thanks for the interview.
Fana
Mokoena: Thank you.
KW:
How is Madiba’s [Nelson Mandela] health holding up?
FM:
I’m seriously worried
about him but I've learned to let him go. It's hard.
KW:
What interested you in World War Z?
FM:
That it was a brave
stab at the Zombie genre. We haven't seen one at this scale, and I immediately
saw how it was going to work.
KW:
How was it working with director Marc Forster?
FM:
He trusted me with
the work, and I found that refreshing. It helps you grow.
KW:
What was it like acting opposite an icon like Brad Pitt?
FM:
Awesome!
Awe-inspiring! Awe-striking! It was incredible to watch him work.
KW:
How would you describe your character, Thierry Umutoni?
FM:
As a measured
character. Hard-driven, but kind and compassionate. No drama.
KW:
How did you prepare for the role?
FM:
I first had to read
the book to cover my basics. Then I had to understand the world of the zombie,
and familiarize myself with what the end of the world means to my character
personally.
KW:
What message do you think people will take away from the
film?
FM:
I hope they take away
the overarching message that the end of the world is all our responsibility.
KW:
The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book
you read?
FM:
I’m still reading my
birthday gift, 'Speeches That Changed the World.’ It’s a compilation of
speeches by some of the greatest men and women in history.
KW:
Belated happy birthday! The music maven Heather Covington question: What was
the last song you listened to?
FM:
I’ve been going retro
on Ephraim Lewis and the last song I listened to was “Captured.”
KW:
What is your favorite dish to cook?
FM:
I like our
traditional dishes, but I can cook a mean pasta, too.
KW: When you look in the mirror, what
do you see?
FM:
A sign: “Work in
Progress.”
KW:
If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would
that be for?
FM:
Happiness and
longevity.
KW:
The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest
childhood memory?
FM:
The chicken and the
doves we used to have at home.
KW:
The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe
all successful people share?
FM:
Tenacity and
integrity.
KW:
The Gabby Douglas question: If you had to choose another
profession, what would that be?
FM:
Art and graphics.
KW:
The Harriet Pakula-Teweles question: With so many classic films being redone,
is there a remake you'd like to star in?
FM:
Citizen Kane, the
second greatest movie ever made.
KW:
The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?
FM:
Just as a guy who
worked hard.
KW:
Thanks again for the time, Fana, and I will be keeping
Mandela in my prayers.
FM:
Thanks, Kam.
To see a trailer for
World War Z, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6Dvxdr0AQ
No comments:
Post a Comment