The World Cup may be over, but it’s spirit lives on through Pathe’s new film Africa United. It’s the extraordinary story of three Rwandan kids who are determined to travel to South Africa, for the World Cup. We caught up with some of the cast, to find out what it was really like on set, and why this new film is so important to these young stars.
From left to right the cast are Yves Dusenge (FOREMAN GEORGE ), Sherrie Silver (CELESTE), Sanyu Joanita Kintu (BEATRICE), Eriya Ndayambaje (DUDU) & Roger Nsengiyumva (FABRICE).
Although subtle, Africa United touches on social issues such as HIV and child prostitution. How did you feel about dealing with such intense, but necessary issues?
Sherrie: It was challenging to start off with, as I’ve never had to deal with these issues directly, [but] the director helped me to get into character.
Sanyu: (nods in agreement) you see it all over TV.
Roger: It’s something that going on in Africa right now, these issues have to be touched on. [In the film] it wasn’t brushed off to the side, but it wasn’t in your face.
The dream of team Africa United, is to get to the World Cup at whatever cost. What is your dream?
Eriya: To become the president of Uganda.
Roger: I wanted to be a footballer but that didn’t work out.
Yves: I want to do engineering.
Sherrie: I want to become a successful actress and singer and to get into higher education.
Sanyu: I want to be a famous actress.
If you had a bag full of money like Foreman George, what would you spend it on?
Yves: A boat for you guys [pointing at Eriya and Roger]
Roger: I don’t know how much is in there, I might get into debt.
If you had to star in a film with your favourite movie star, who would it be and what type of film would it be?
Sherrie: The Wayans brothers. It would be a comedy/fighting film. I also like Will Smith [and] Sarah Jessica Parker.
Sanyu: Will Smith. It would be about shopping, he would give me money and I can go shopping.
Sherrie: Why Will Smith? He doesn’t like shopping!
Sanyu: No, he would give me the money so I can go shopping.
You sing the Ting Tings ‘That’s Not My Name’ in the film. Who are your favourite artists and what type of music do you like to listen to?
Sanyu: Hip hop.
Sherrie: Miley Cyrus, Kirk Franklin.
Why should we watch Africa United?
Eriya: To get a new look on Africa.
Roger: A side to Africa the world doesn’t see. If you don’t laugh or cry, you’ll miss out.
What was it like working with each other?
Sherrie: We were together all the time, on screen, off set so it helped us get along.
Yves: We were a big family.
Eriya: Good, I got to make new friends with these lovely guys and the cast.
Sherrie, as a young African living in Britain, what does this film mean to you? What do you want the audience to learn from this?
Sherrie: I want to show people, that you can achieve your dream. If I can achieve my dream anything is possible.
Africa United is out in cinema theatre’s now.Cast:
Dudu – Eriya Ndayambaje,
Fabrice – Roger Nsengiyumva,
Beatrice – Sanyu Joanita Kintu,
Foreman George – Yves Dusenge,
Celeste – Sherrie Silver,
Interview by T’kisha George
Online edit by Denise Kodia
