Naomi Harris’ acting career has taken her down a plethora of different paths; She’s played a goddess of the sea in Pirates of The Caribbean and a secret agent in Skyfall. Most recently, Harris was tasked with taking on perhaps her most influential role yet: Winnie Mandela in the biopic Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
The English actress, who was recently chosen to cover Red magazine, opened up about the controversial role, Oscar buzz and being in a James Bond film in the magazine’s February 2014 issue. Accompanying the story are five beautifully shot photos by Max Abadian. For the shoot, Abadian chose to focus on Harris’ natural beauty and have her get down and dirty with mother nature!
In the magazine Harris reveals the internal battle she fought after accepting the role of Nelson Mandela’s wife, Winne.
“It was only when I did my research that I thought, “Oh my gosh, what the hell have I signed up to?'” She revealed. “She is the most complex woman I have ever played. To many she is a saint, she’s Mother Africa, you know? To others, she is completely vilified. The pressure of all those expectations, especially filming in South Africa, was a lot. I definitely understand why she became the woman she did. In the same situation, I don’t know how I would react.”
Harris’ struggles with the role stemmed far beyond the fact that Winnie was both beloved and hated by so many people; Naomi became emotionally drained trying to channel all of the emotions Mandela went through.
“It meant inhabiting places I try never to go, like revenge, hatred and rage,” she said. “I don’t hate anyone , and I’m really not a vengeful person, but I found it really difficult to switch off. Even after I stopped filming, it took me a while to shake her.”
Fortunately, she had the support of her co-stars to ease the stress. According to Harris, Idris Elba, who played Nelson Mandela, had struggles of his own with his role as Nelson Mandela.
“The first thing Idris said to me was, ‘Woah, what have we done? This is terrifying, isn’t it?’ It really put me at ease,” she said.
Things didnt’ get any easier for Naomi or her co-stars after the films release; Their roles garnished a lot of attention neither Harris, nor Idris were ready for. The film reportedly received and extended standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival in September, which Naomi says she found “overwhelming.”
“It was so overwhelming that I was embarrassed,” She said. “I sat down, but Harvey Weinstein was in the seat behind me and he was like, ‘Stand up, Naomi!'”
Regardless, Naomi says she’s “trying not to get excited” about all the award show buzz.
SOURCE: Red Online | PHOTO CREDIT: Red Magazine, Max Abadian
