Local actresses get exposure
2002-05-26 18:33
Johannesburg - Two of South Africa's leading actresses experienced the highlight of their careers when they shared the spotlight with the famous Hollywood actress with the pout and cleavage to die for, Angelina Jolie.
Jolie's role in the action flick Tomb Raider shot her to international fame. The local actresses, lanky Nambitha Mpumlwana and stunning Faye Peters of Generations fame, will cement their places in the hearts of movie fans when the movie they have just finished shooting with Jolie in Namibia is released next year.
Mpumlwana, though underrated, is a highly talented actress famed for her sterling portrayal of the stern school principal in the television drama series Yizo Yizo. She also acts in the soapie Sewende Laan.
Mpumlwana and Peters finished shooting the film, called Beyond Borders, a few weeks ago. The other parts of the story were shot in Canada and Thailand without the local actresses.
The film is about the hardships of staying in a refugee camp. Speaking for the first time about her role in the film, after a confidentiality ban was lifted, Mpumlwana revealed she portrays a refugee camp caregiver named Tula who helps the destitute and drives around the camp in an old truck.
She is the first local Jolie befriends when she fetches her from the airport. Jolie plays the leading international character, Sarah, a saviour from a famine relief organisation brought to the camp to help the refugees.
Before meeting Jolie, Mpumlwana said she was a little anxious as she thought Jolie could be a prima donna . But she was pleasantly surprised.
"Jolie is down-to-earth and unassuming. During the filming she was with her eight month old baby boy and did not portray any of that glossed and polished look you see in magazines. Jolie is a brilliant actress and open to ideas," she said.
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