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There is just no slowing down for triple threat Nadine Sutherland, who has added not just actress but “award-winning actress” to her résumé. It seems as if, once word got around that she got a leading role in a short film, Someone Loves You, the next thing fans heard was that the film was chosen to be screened at the Essence Festival of Culture. For Sutherland, it was simply “incredible” that the film would even be showcased on “one of the world’s biggest platform celebrating the black experience globally” and she was present at the event in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the weekend.
Then, word came Sunday night from a super-excited Judith Bodley, part of Sutherland’s team, that Someone Loves You had won Best Short Film at the festival. On Monday morning, Sutherland shared with her fans, who are called ‘Tribers’ that she and her cast members “were stoked just to attend and represent” at the festival.
“I’m still pinching myself, still feeling like I’m walking in a dream. I’m still teary from joy. Congratulations cast and crew. Wow!” the Action singer wrote.
Someone Loves You, the synopsis says, “is a narrative short film following the estranged members of a Jamaican family in New York City, as they cope with the slowly declining health of their once-famous artist, beloved matriarch”. It is produced by Amanda Mandii and Victoria Perry, who are also co-writers and co-directors.
She reflects on her acting journey with The Gleaner.
1. How did you get involved with this short film?
The writer and producer wrote to me on Instagram and asked me if I had ever acted and I said yes because I had acted in high school with Bobby Ghisays and Munair Zacca. And when I became the director for the performing arts and I had to prepare children I had to learn their monologue. I auditioned during Beryl, on Zoom, and they called me back for a second audition. And I got the part. And here we are ... Essence Film Award.
2. What was it like studying your lines, being on set and getting into character?
I studied my lines and, when I did, I understood the character more ... she had paranoia-schizophrenia They asked me if I had researched my character ... yuh know, dem big actor business deh. No, I did not research my character. The only thing I think that I used was my cousin had a neighbour who we were very close to and she got stricken with dementia. This woman who was very vibrant and incredible, just like my character. I used her as reference. Apart from that, I got into the role and just do it.
3. What was most challenging for you and how do you feel about the character you portrayed?
The most challenging for me was the scene at the dinner table because I got a little too immersed in it. It was very emotional for me. I have to thank my other Jamaican girl, Mitzie Pratt ... big up yuself, Mitzie. She played my best friend and, every time we had to do that scene, I was shaking like a leaf and she was holding me, and my knees were buckling. I got to respect the character. I have seen people like this, beautiful, incredible people who get stricken with something like this and I think that I look at her and feel empathy for her and for her family.
4. Your résumé keeps expanding and you seem to keep getting better with time. Did you envision that this would be your journey, say 5 to 10 years ago?
I never envisioned this. I thought that I would be more at the back of the performing arts. After I got my masters and everything, I thought that I was just going to pour into people, pour into children. I thought it was over with me being centrestage and I was comfortable. Then there was a challenge that disrupted that flow and I said I was coming back to me yaad. And I got involved in preparations for Nadine 40th [years in music] and then COVID come and I felt like ‘Wha mi a do?’. I always said music chose me, and now this life chose me. I am very thankful. I never ever thought that I would be at Essence Festival a get award fi mi acting.
5. Given the huge success of this film, are you interested in exploring more acting roles?
Yes, for sure! My mother and my family always a tell me that I must be an actress. They are not surprised at this. The young lady who played my daughter in the film, she looked at me Saturday when we were in New Orleans and said ‘You had better start doing acting lessons, because you are a natural.’ So, big up to the foundation mi get at St Andrew High School with Bobby Ghisays and Munair Zacca!
English (US) ·