It is not usual for a star artiste in one discipline to concede that what another artiste is doing in a different area is more difficult and demanding than what she herself does.
But sexy singer, Mzbel, does not hesitate to doff her hat to all African actresses who have made it big in movies. “I salute all actresses and actors. I don’t know where they get their energy from but my recent experience on the set has given me cause to respect them so much”, Mzbel told Showbiz.
Mzbel just completed shooting Single Six, a movie by Venus Films in which she plays Serena, one of six lead roles. She plays alongside Yvonne Okoro, Ebi Bright-Fasintei, Zynell Lydia Zuh, Beverly Afaglo, Ciara Galega, John Dumelo, David Prince Osei and Adjetey Annan.
She told Showbiz she was surprised to learn, for instance, that one scene in a movie can take as long as four hours to shoot. “You might be in the sun and you are not even allowed to drink water because you will sweat. Sometimes, it gets rather frustrating and there were times I got so tired I wanted to quit but the other girls encouraged me.
“Also getting into character was not easy for me. In one scene I had to cry and I had to think of a painful incident before I could drop a tear while it was cool chop for someone like Yvonne Okoro. She can weep at a drop of a pin”.
The difficulties in movie acting notwithstanding, Mzbel is determined to do some more movies and is certain that in the not too distant future, she will emerge tops and beat all other actresses in leading role nominations in Africa. “Watch out for me”, she said.
Asked if Single Six was her first attempt on appearing on the silver screen, Mzbel said “I played a supporting role in Socrate Safo’s Destined Child and lead role in Miracle Film’s Ye Ko Mmaa Pe. I even auditioned for Venus Film’s Princess Tyra but I didn’t get a role. Venus called me to play Serena, a spoilt actress. I didn’t audition this time around. The role seemed cut out for me.
But Mzbel’s new management is not as happy as she is because they think the film will make branding of the songbird difficult because of the bad girl role she plays in the film. “You see, people think I am naturally wild but I am a good girl. I guess that impression has been created because of my on-stage costumes, my act on stage as well as lyrics of some of my songs.
However, after seeing the trailer and visiting the set a number of times, Mzbel said her management are impressed and are even looking forward to getting more film roles for her.
Asked if she would shelve music to concentrate on movies, Mzbel said “I love music and will always do music. I must say it is not going to be easy combining movies, music and running a home. Beyonce, one of my role models is doing exactly that so I believe I can too”.
So what will Mzbel do if after watching Single Six, people ask her to stick to music instead? “I will be disappointed”, she said.
However, Abdul Salam Mumuni of Venus Films describes her as a good actress. “Mzbel did very well in the movie. She interpreted her role very well. She was simply fantastic and contributed a lot to the film. I will describe her as a good actress considering the fact that this is her first go at lead role”.
Salam who said Single Six will be out by June this year would want to work with Mzbel again.
Source: Graphic Showbiz/Ghana
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