Cape Town - It's Complicated actor Motlatsi Mafatshe, who is co-producing and starring in the new South African romcom Love Lives Here, let’s DRUM in on how important it is to multitask in the South African entertainment industry.
Motlatsi has been busier than before whilst being on Isidingo and says his new comedy coming out in September is one that proves South Africans can make it globally.
How important it is for you as an actor to become a producer in the local industry?
Not just in SA, being an actor anywhere in the world you have to be a creator. An actor is a creator – you create characters and creators are producers.
It’s importsant becauase you then become the creator of your own work, then you don’t wait for auditions. In terms of business, you explore the whole sector and you get the money you want because right now actors are exploited.
I think to sustain yourself and have longevity you need to create your own work.
Tell us about Love Lives Here.
We’re just hoping people can have fun, we need to laugh at ourselves. We need to understand that our comedy isn’t necessarily slapstick. We’ve got strong sarcasm.
In fact, our country is so funny everything, every meme, anything that comes out we know how to make fun of it.
You’re a co-producer on the film too, what does this say to the youth of SA?
It says to the youngsters: when you’re good at something, when you’re funny, bring it on. We’ve got what it takes to have films that can make it all over the world.
It’s shot beautifully, we shot it in Durban, so you can imagine the ocean, that whole landscape. It shows how beautiful the country is.
What does this mean for local movies in general?
I just want to show people with film that we’ve got what it takes to be with the best. You see with Black Panther, our artists are there. Atandwa Kani is doing big things there, John Kani is doing big things there. So it tells you a lot about what we got.
Love Lives Here also stars Lungile Radu, Zola Nombona‚ Nomalanga Shozi and Kenyan actress Nyokabi Gethaiga.
