Not only do we get to see the talented Cleo doing some serious action moves in the movie Kite (on its second week in cinemas), but we also get to know more about her. She definitely is an actress on top of her game.
From the local shores to international recognition, how did this come about?
I was waiting for my friends who were attending a class with acting coach Dorothy Ann Gould, when she (Dorothy) invited me to join them. Let’s just say, since then, I’ve never left her class. That’s when I fell in love with acting and I wanted to act – whether I was being paid for it or not.
Most South African actors, especially graduates, find it hard to leap onto the global scene, how did this opportunity come about for you?
I did the work. I never stopped working on being good, and I feel like this opportunity with Kite found me. My agent also thought that I’d be great and put me forward. So my advice would be, work hard and the right people will notice.
Tell us about your experience on the set of Kite, what was that like?
It was dreamlike. I still can’t believe that I can say I’ve worked with Samuel L Jackson. He was so kind and fatherly. He was also very encouraging and funny. Also, I had so much fun shooting the movie. I learnt fight systems and how to handle weapons. It was just one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.
Tell us about Margrit, what did it take to get into her character, and how is she different from you?
Margrit is a baddie and the leader of the gang in the film. What helped me get into character? I gave the character a way of walking, and while I did that I said my lines. Margrit differs from me in that she has no filter. I, on the other hand, do. She’s uninhibited and I find that I struggle to let go.
You are a family woman, how did you juggle your personal life and work life?
At the time, I wasn’t yet married or a mother. We shot this film almost two years ago, so finding balance came easily.
As someone in the media your fans look to you for style. How do you make sure you look on point?
I use Pinterest! And my husband helps. He has a fantastic fashion sense and knows me well enough to know what would and wouldn’t work.
It is never easy to keep your personal life private when in the media industry. Would you say you have mastered this and how so?
Absolutely, we have. We know how these publicised relationship stuff works… People pay other people to talk about their personal business. Overseas it’s warranted, but here in South Africa no one is that interested in other people’s love lives. My husband and I are not interested in that kind of attention.
Before heading up to do Kite, what acting projects did you have lined up?
Before I shot Kite I had just done a Sophocles Classic called Antigone for theatre. I played the namesake. I also had a stint in Tempy Pushas and played the lead in Mi Casa’s music video Heavenly Sent. One of my favourites was when I worked with Luthuli Dlamini on a French film titled As It Used to Be.
What is next for Cleo?
When I know, you will too. I hope that Kite will be a launching pad for great things. I really want to get back into theatre, but for now I will be writing some good stories for Isidingo and working on losing the baby weight.
Catch the KITE Official Trailer below
