Collaborating with Fabien Martorell on City of Gold has been an incredible experience. Working with a director of his caliber is both an honor and an inspiring journey. Crafting the character of Somandla under Fabien’s guidance was a deeply creative and fulfilling process that pushed me to new heights and challenged me to explore uncharted territory as an artist.
Fabien’s ability to create a space of trust and openness allowed for risk-taking and bold choices, which is invaluable in bringing a story like this to life. His vision for City of Gold is nothing short of masterful. He has captured Johannesburg in its rawest and most authentic form, vividly portraying the gritty underworld that thrives beneath the city’s vibrant facade. The result is a cinematic tableau that seamlessly balances intensity with grace, weaving a story that feels both real and profoundly compelling. I’m immensely proud of the artistry we achieved together, and I’m grateful to have been part of such a powerful and resonant project.
"It's rare for a Director to offer me a role in a movie without ever meeting me or having me audition. But I got a call saying, "Do you want to come play a cool character in a cool film?" I said, "Okay, cool."
The net few months had me shooting up people left and right, driving down highways, and smashing into cars. I found myself wrestling with character impulses I had to trust. I had the best time working on an amazing project with an incredible team.
Fabien Martorell had everything to do with the flow of the character and the balance that was needed. Out of his gentle, nuanced directing style, we created mayhem, betrayal, love and death. Thank you Fabien for trusting me with this role. Trusting you in return was the easiest thing to do."