Nominated in three categories at the Sotigui Awards 2020, Virginie Ehana plays the main role in the Cameroonian film Innocent (e) directed by Frank Thierry Lea Malle. The film is in official competition at the 24th edition of the Ecrans Noirs festival which is currently being held.
Virginie Ehana has agreed to answer our questions and come back to her role in this film and her nomination for the Sotigui Awards which will be held on November 14, 2020 in Burkina Faso.
Ayila: How are you living this post-Covid period? How did you experience the confinement?
Virginie Ehana: The pandemic has spared no one on all fronts. Between interrupted activities, confinement and others … I readjust and take advantage of my new skills.
And what are these skills?
Confinement allowed me to discover new exercises for my acting, voice exercises, breathing exercises … And I also took the opportunity to learn how to make wigs for women, to make hair oils, in short, I learned new things.
You are starring in the film Innocent (e) which is currently being broadcast on Canal + Cinéma and which is in official competition at the Ecrans Noirs Festival, how do you feel, especially since this is your first feature film?
I feel honored, proud like anyone else in my place, with the desire and the motivation to do better and go even further.
2020 is the year of the Covid with all the consequences we know, but it is ultimately a magnificent year for you, you are on Canal +, you are nominated for the Sotigui Awards in three categories, you are on a cloud…
Being on the cloud may be, it feels good, but the responsibility is growing. Finding yourself at this level with your first feature film gives you faith and energy.
How did you come to cinema?
So my encounter with cinema took place in 2008 when I enrolled in Performing Arts and Cinematography at the University of Yaoundé 1. I was already unaware that we were studying the arts at the university and in addition it does not parents didn’t really like it. But despite everything the flame was born. I had this desire to pour out my frustrations, to free myself, to discover myself and to assume myself and art helped me in this direction.
You play the role of Warrant Officer Mbuntcha who must manage an investigation full of surprises. How did you prepare for this role? What did you have to give up and what did you have to learn?
For the preparation we worked for more than three months, between physical, psychological, artistic and even spiritual preparation. I was supervised by several people, sports coaches, nutritionists. I’m thinking here of Arnaud Ndong, Hervais Ngassam, Tnt workout, officer Amougou and many others… And of course the whole Inception team who believed in me and never stopped encouraging me. We worked all day long, it wasn’t easy but we got there. I learned to adopt the life of a person who is not me naturally, I learned to change my voice, to modify the physique and all that was painful and fun at the same time.
1. Virginie Ehana
2. Virginie Ehana sur le tournage de ''Innocent(e)''
3. Virginie Ehana
4. Virginie Ehana sur le tournage de ''Angles''
5. Virginie Ehana pendant le tournage de ''Point de Vue''
6. Sur le tournage de ''Innocent(e)''
How was the collaboration with the other actors Axel Abessolo, Fidèle Bayibedeg, Eshu and the others? What do you think is a good playing partner?
With the elders it was quite surprising. With Tatiana Matip it was quite easy since we had already worked together on Angles. With her it’s good humor, she has a lot of energy and she doesn’t have her tongue in her pocket (laughs) And then she’s the one who will reframe you if you go wrong or who will try to appease them. things when there is tension. It was the same with Eshu, it’s true that he didn’t take long on the set, but he’s a very professional and humble person who easily shares his experience. He has this ability to boost you so that you go further.
With Axel Abessolo, the little anecdote is that when it was necessary to prepare the fight scene it was not obvious. Because Axel’s physique intimidated me and since I can’t stand violence the first time he shook me I reacted badly, I hated him a little. It is the director who had to explain to him that I cannot stand violence and that he will have to try to be softer in his movements while I can get used to it. And when he understood that he supported me and he helped me, it was quite moving. With Ferdinand Tiognou it was really extraordinary, he is so simple and humble, he knows how to listen and accept criticism. And with the other actors it was really good whether it was with Passy Ngah or Manoella Ngueste.
With Fidèle Bayibedeg, it was the first time that we have worked together, he’s an elusive person who changes a lot, which is an asset at times. But she is a rich person, you have to really approach her to understand her reactions and how she functions. By working with her I discovered certain skills and it was a real pleasure to work with her.
Aside from being a movie actress you are also a theater actress.
My first steps on stage are in the theater, for me cinema and theater go hand in hand, I feel comfortable in both areas even if I am more seen in the cinema.
In the film you have to manage the household and the job, to ensure the balance. Does that match your image of a woman? How do you see the place of women in today’s society?
It is true that I am a feminist. I grew up knowing that the woman is the belt that holds the pants of the man, suddenly the woman has an important place in society. It has this power to maintain balance, which is why it must be appreciated for its true value. Every movement has hiccups, with new technologies some women confuse a lot of things. Some emphasize form while ignoring substance. Everything starts from the base, we must save the young generation which is sinking into a herd followingism. Many young girls flout values, yet they should combine the useful with the pleasant. We are not in competition with men but we are human beings just as they are. And for that we have the right to assert ourselves and to be appreciated at our true value.
In “Point of view”, “Neighbor” and “Innocent (e)” you are always on the side of justice, law, love, you only choose this kind of role or that’s just what comes?
I don’t know if it is a coincidence but what I do know is that it is not premeditated yet that it is not far from my reality.
What is your view on domestic violence?
I strongly condemn all violence, even more domestic violence. I used to say love doesn’t hurt. It is therefore unacceptable that two people supposed to love each other harm each other. Nothing justifies a violent act and what we forget is that violence is not only physical and the repercussions are not only conjugal.
If you had to play Innocen(e) again what will you improve in your game?
If we had to return innocent, I would improve a lot of things, now it will have to suit the director (laughs)!
How was the collaboration with Frank Léa Malle?
This is not our first collaboration and it remains rewarding. Franck Thierry has always behaved like a big brother and the big brother still has the stick and the carrot. The responsibility being greater you agree with me that there was more rigor and it is not always obvious with egos, pressure, problems and all the rest. Overall it was tough but well worth it.
You are nominated in three categories for the Sotigui Awards, what is the reaction of those around you? Have you already received proposals for new projects?
Being already very reserved by nature, several people were surprised to discover me as an actress, to see me on Canal + and named afterwards. It’s a mixture of emotions. For the proposals there are but we do not commit for fun, there are parameters that come into play. Some people believe I’m inaccessible yet it is not, I remain open to all proposals even if i am selective. I am an actress of Cameroon, I am an actress of the world.
Interview by Rostand Wandja
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