[...] "You think there are these amazing people running the country who went to extraordinary lengths to do that, and you think it's going to be reflected in every aspect of South Africa; that it may be the most perfect place in the world, a harmonious society coming together. And I had this feeling when I was landing that it was going to be the most extraordinary experience and it was, but not for those reasons. For rather depressing reasons. It was just so devastating."
What hit him most when he got there? "Segregation. That's what hits you. Segregation." The South Africa that Ejiofor saw was largely one of wealthy, empowered white people and poor, disempowered black people; it seemed little different from apartheid South Africa. He says he found it so much harder to be a black man in South Africa than a black man in Britain, "because you're African and you just don't think these sort of things should be happening to Africans in Africa. If it exists in European countries, then that's the problem and decision and resolution of the indigenous population, but you feel in Africa it's a bit illegitimate for people to be treated like that." [...]
| We're fans of British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, and not surprised if you won't be after "The rainbow's end," Simon Hattenstone's Guardian UK interview
Also: "Wish to see themselves on film" and "I haven't seen you before"
posted in articles on July 9, 2004 7:52 PM | t (0)
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