Playing somebody as controversial as Winnie Mandela, the second wife of late anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, comes with a huge responsibility. Nobody knows that better than British-born actress Naomie Harris, who feels that Winnie is at once demonized and seen a Mother Africa. However, she recently got the ultimate validation.
“When we went to South Africa, we showed it to Winne. She loved it,” said Harris in an interview with tabloid! on Thursday. Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, directed by Justin Chadwick, opened to a packed house at the Dubai International Film Festival after a muted red carpet as a mark of respect to Mandela.
“[Winnie] said it was the first time that she has been faithfully portrayed on screen. And it is huge deal when the person who you are playing says you have done a great job,” said Harris. The epic may have received mixed reviews, but the verdict has been unanimous when it came to sizing up Harris’ portrayal. While the film trains its spotlight primarily on the late South African statesman, Harris’ had viewers rooting for Winnie’s radical, aggressive ideologies.
“I was struggling with all the different views of who she was. I was hoping she would say ‘I am this and that.’ But she was really gracious and gave me a better answer than I had hoped for. She just said, ‘the most important thing for me is that you do your research carefully and just tell the truth’. It was suddenly liberating and all these thoughts of people on how I should play her, I was able to let it go. I just took ownership of all the material, all that research I had done and said that I will come up with the Winnie I see fit.”
Harris, 37, calls the role as the “toughest in her career”, but it also made her upbeat about being a part of the film industry.
“It is not by job to be a spokesperson for Winnie or her actions at all. But it is my job to capture her essence and play her truthfully. If that involves going into controversial areas, I am all about that. I am not about playing saints. I want to play all kinds of people.” The most challenging aspect of playing Winnie was to play the 21-57 year bracket.
“She goes through these radical transformations during that phase … that 18 months in solitary confinement changes her as a person. To show these shifts without it seeming like she was playing seven different characters wasn’t easy,” said Harris.
Exudes the kind of real warmth that stars rarely do and dressed in an ivory lace Marchesa skirt, demure top and black high heels, you could see why she connects with her viewers. She’s gracious, doesn’t travel with an entourage and makes you wish she was your friend. She’s also the kind of actress who will stop by, touch you on your shoulder and compliment you about your interview skills as she makes her way to the restroom.
“I still go on the London tube,” said Harris, who is known for roles in Pirates Of The Caribbean, her role as Selena in 28 Days Later and as Eve Moneypenny in Bond blockbuster Skyfall. Any regrets about not having a romantic encounter with the spy?
“That will be like breaking the cardinal rules of being in a Bond franchise. So, no,” said Harris with a laugh. However, she admits being a part of a Bond film was a turning point in her career.
“It shifted things and people took more interest. But on a private level, I am able to maintain my privacy. I cherish my privacy and anonymity is very important to me.”
