Naomie Harris
The “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” Interview
with Kam Williams
A Long Walk with Naomie
As a critically acclaimed actress in
film, television, and theatre, Naomie
Harris is making more of a name for herself with each of her successive,
luminous performances. Last year, she starred as Bond girl ‘Eve’ opposite
Daniel Craig in the 007 feature Skyfall.
She also appeared in Danny Boyle's
production of Frankenstein at The National Theater in London alongside Jonny Lee Miller and
Benedict Cumberbatch. In the The First Grader, she played 'Jane,' a first-grade
teacher in Kenya
who fought for the right of an 84 year-old man to be educated, even if it meant
learning in a classroom with six-year-olds.
The London-born actress enjoyed her
first major breakthrough performance in 2002 in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later,
and she went on to receive further critical acclaim for her role as 'Tia Dalma'
in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At
World's End. Her other major film credits include Miami Vice, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull
Story; Street Kings; and Sex & Drugs & Rock and Roll.
After earning a degree in social and
political science with honors from Cambridge
University, Naomie trained at the
prestigious Bristol
Old Vic
Theatre School.
Here, she talks about her latest outing as ‘Winnie Mandela’ opposite Idris Elba
in Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom.
Kam
Williams: Hi Naomie, I’m honored to have another
opportunity to speak with you.
Naomie Harris:
Oh, no, my pleasure, Kam.
KW:
What interested you in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom?
NH:
I’d made a film produced by Anant Singh and David Thompson and directed by
Justin Chadwick called The First Grader. And while promoting that movie in Toronto, they asked me whether
I wanted to do Mandela. I said, “Yeah!” because I really wanted to work with
the same team again and also because I wanted to be part of a film honoring
Nelson Mandela’s life.
KW:
What did you know about Winnie Mandela when you accepted the
role?
NH:
I actually had no idea who Winnie Mandela was. Obviously, I knew she was Nelson
Mandela’s wife, but I thought the role was basically going to revolve around her
supporting him. I had no idea that she was a political activist in her own
right, and that she was integral to the anti-Apartheid movement.
KW:
Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks: What did it mean to you to portray Winnie Mandela and what
is your vision of her?
NH:
Since, as I said, I was unfamiliar with Winnie Mandela, for me, this project
was really more about a celebration of Nelson Mandela. And he, for me,
represents this incredible iconic figure. But in terms of who I discovered
Winnie to be once I did all my research, which was pretty intense and fairly in
depth, I found her to be the most complex character I’ve ever played. She’s
almost seven different characters in one. She’s done some controversial things
that are very difficult to justify. She’s also a woman of immense compassion.
And she’s a person of the people. In South Africa, she’s known as Mother
Africa, and is loved and admired by many for having helped hundreds of
thousands of people. So, she’s complex, and very hard to define in a brief
space of time.
KW:
Children’s book author Irene Smalls asks: What kind
of research did you do in creating the role?
NH:
I read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom,” I watched
documentaries about the Apartheid era, I interviewed people who knew Winnie, I
read biographies about her, and even got to sit down with her and ask her
questions about her life.
KW:
Larry Greenberg asks: Did
you spend any time with Winnie’s daughters Zenani and Zindzi Mandela in
preparation for the film?
NH:
Yes, I had an opportunity to go out to dinner with both Zenani and Zindzi.
KW: Obama
biographer Dinesh Sharma asks: Did you actually shoot on location in the
prisons in Joburg, Robben Island and Pretoria?
NH: No, we had an extraordinary
set designer. When you watch the movie, it looks like we shot on Robben Island
and those other places. But it was all replicated in studio. However, we did
shoot in South Africa, in Cape Town and Johannesburg,
and in the actual courthouse where the trial took place. So, there are some
historical moments which were filmed on location in the same places where they
originally happened.
KW:
Kate Newell asks: What
was the most surprising thing you learned about Winnie that you didn't know
going into the film?
NH:
Learning how integral she was to the anti-Apartheid movement, and that Nelson
Mandela might not have become the Nelson Mandela we know today without her.
Also, learning about the contributions of so many women who sacrificed their
lives was very educational for me.
KW: Patricia
also asks: What do you want audiences to remember most about the movie?
NH:
I hope that they remember this extraordinary period in history that should
never, ever be repeated. And I hope that they take away from the film that
freedom was hard won. I want people to remember to cherish their freedom. In
terms of Winnie, it’s not my place to judge her and some of the actions that
she’s taken. What I wanted to do was show with as much compassion as possible a
comprehensive and detailed portrayal of how she started out in life, why she
made the choices she made, and who she ultimately became. I hope to bring some understanding
to the woman.
KW:
Kevin Williams asks: Did you have any reservations about
playing Winnie? Many actresses might have declined the role given her tarnished
image.
NH:
No, it’s not like I always want to play saints. The sinners are actually much
more interesting to play, because they’re more complex. And as an actor, that’s
what you’re always looking for, complexity and layers.
KW:
The Harriet Pakula-Teweles question: With so many classic films being redone,
is there a remake you'd like to star in?
NH:
Wow! If I could sing, I would do the remake of West Side
Story or The Sound of Music, because I’m obsessed with musicals. But
unfortunately, I can’t sing or dance, so I don’t see that happening anytime
soon. [Chuckles]
KW:
Harriet also asks: Was
it a blessing or a bane to be cast as a Bond girl?
NH:
Definitely a blessing. Definitely! I’m very proud of my role as Eve, and really
enjoyed the experience. And it’s been a great boost for my career. So, 100% a
blessing.
KW:
Rel Dowdell asks: Do
you find that opportunities are opening up in Hollywood
for actors and actresses of color from outside of America?
NH:
Yeah, I find that America
has always embraced international talent. That’s why so many people from all
around the world have come to Hollywood
to make films. It’s a big melting pot, and I’m very grateful for that. If I’d
stayed in England,
I doubt if I’d enjoyed the kind of career that I’ve had.
KW:
The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book
you read?
Last time we spoke, you were reading, “How to Leave
Twitter.”
NH:
I recently began reading the Steve Jobs biography, but I haven’t finished it.
It’s still sitting by my bedside.
KW:
The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened
to?
NH:
Now that’s interesting! I just got off a plane, and on the flight I watched 20
Feet from Stardom which featured a fantastic collection of songs from the
Sixties and Seventies.
KW:
The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?
NH:
That’s really interesting as well. A challenge. Playing a completely different
role, something that makes me almost feel scared. That’s exciting for me.
KW:
The Mike Pittman question: What was your
best career decision?
NH:
Saying “Yes” to doing 28 Days Later, although there’s no way I would have ever
turned it down. That role, for me, was really the catalyst for everything.
KW:
The Jamie Foxx question: If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend
the time?
NH:
Nothing dramatic, eating with my family and my closest friends because that is
my favorite thing to do.
KW:
The Anthony Mackie question: Is there
anything that you promised yourself you’d do if you became famous, that you
still haven’t done yet?
NH:
I never ever thought about becoming famous. I just wanted to become an actress
and make great movies and to play roles that challenged me. So, I never made
that sort of commitment to myself.
KW:
The Melissa Harris-Perry question: How
did your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person?
NH:
My first big heartbreak? Gosh, I only dated him for about three weeks and ended
up being heartbroken for a year. It was awful! That taught me that the heart is
quite fragile, and to look after and cherish it, and to not give it to just
anybody.
KW:
The Viola Davis question: What’s the biggest difference between who you are at
home as opposed to the person we see on the red carpet?
NH:
At home, I like comfy clothes, so I ‘m pretty casual in the way that I dress.
But on the red carpet, I like to glam it up and really push the boundaries in
terms of fashion.
KW:
The Anthony Anderson question: If you could have a superpower, which one would
you choose?
NH:
[Whispers] Wow! That’s really interesting. Any superpower? That would be
amazing. [In normal voice] I would like to have the power to heal the sick.
KW:
The Gabby Douglas question: If you had to choose another
profession, what would that be?
NH:
I’d definitely be a novelist. I like the idea of creating an imaginary world
with imaginary characters, which is somewhat similar to what I do as an actress.
KW:
The Pastor Alex Kendrick question: What do you wish other
people would note about you?
NH:
Nothing. I like the idea of being mysterious and people not knowing too much
about me. I think it’s nicer if they focus on the characters I play as opposed
to on me as a person.
KW:
Pastor Alex also asks: What motivates you at this stage of your
career?
NH:
Playing inspirational characters who really have a voice and something
meaningful to say.
KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you
ever afraid?
NH:
I’m always afraid! There’s a great book called, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway,”
which is how I feel is the best way to live. We all feel afraid of so many
things, but when you do them, you realize they’re a lot less scary than you
thought.
KW: The Columbus Short question: Are
you happy?
NH:
Happiness isn’t a constant state. One has moments of happiness throughout the
day, but we’re meant to experience anger, joy, sadness, pain, excitement, a
full range of emotions.
KW:
The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?
NH:
I have a good laugh everyday. And just before this interview, I was laughing
while dancing to imaginary music.
KW:
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
NH:
Dark chocolate. I know sugar isn’t good for you, but every now and then I
succumb and have a bit.
KW:
The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?
NH:
As somebody who lived life to the fullest.
KW:
Thanks again for the time, Naomie, and congratulations on
your tremendous performance, one not to be forgotten during the upcoming awards
season.
NH:
I really appreciate that, Kam. Nice to speak to you again. Take care.
