TV and film actress Gail Mabalane has earned her stripes appearing in different shows in the past 10 years such as Rockville, Generations, The Road, Greed and Desire and Blood and Water, but local thriller film Indemnity is a big career boost for her.
Indemnity is now showing at local cinemas nationwide. It premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada last year and it received rave reviews from film critics. Its local premiere was at the 10th annual KykNET Silwerskermfees in March.
In the Afrikaans film with English subtitles she plays the role of detective Renee Williamson who heads the task force hunting down Theo (played by Jarrid Geduld). As much as she is chasing after Theo, deep down she respects him and his skills.
Mabalane chats to Sowetan just after wrapping up filming on Blood and Water in Cape Town.
The mother of two and wife of kwaito legend Kabelo Mabalane is excited about the positive response that the film has been getting. After all, it is her first role in a feature film. She said seeing herself on a cinema poster is a big thing for her and the kids.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and going into that Afrikaans space, telling that hard-core action film and hard-core story that follows something as real and intense, is an interesting combination. People want to see the action but you're always not sure if Afrikaans will be a distraction. It is a great feeling to see myself in that cinema poster. The film is groundbreaking and because of its quality it can compete internationally.”
Acting in an Afrikaans film definitely took the 37-year-old model and business person out of her comfort zone – learning how to hold a gun and teaching herself to think in Afrikaans. Though she can speak Afrikaans, as she comes from Kimberley in the Northern Cape, Mabalane had to practise to become more comfortable with the language.
It is easy to get typecast and play similar roles. I always try to portray roles that I have never portrayed before.
“I am a girl from Kimberley and we speak many languages, including Afrikaans. I have never done anything in Afrikaans before but I am very grateful for the opportunity. It was a challenge learning how to hold the gun the right way so that it looks convincing in the film. But it was a great experience and challenging. It’s funny that I had to learn to think in Afrikaans and understand the character traits in Afrikaans but I pulled it through,” she says.
Mabalane believes that acting in an Afrikaans film has opened a door for her to tap into that market. Lately she has been on a mission to challenge herself more and take on roles that push her to grow. The actress has outgrown being typecast and portraying similar roles. She is now gunning for roles that bring out a different facet of her talent.
“It is easy to get typecast and play similar roles. I always try to portray roles that I have never portrayed before. I want roles that will make me grow and bring another side of me because we have so many layers as human beings. As I grow older and becoming mature, I am willing to explore. But I still want to play roles that challenge emotionally and further tell more stories about mental illness and gender-based violence.”
As a married woman, balancing being a mother and wife can be challenging. She says she would not have made it this far if it was not for her hubby and extended family members' support. She married Kabelo in 2013 and the couple will be celebrating their 10-year anniversary next year. When she was filming in Cape Town last week, she banked on her helper and her husband to take care of the children.
“I would not be in Cape Town filming Blood and Water if it was not for the support I have from the family, my husband. Just having that support gives you a sense of relief knowing that the kids are well taken care of. My husband and family have been supportive of my career, that is why it easy to focus on my growth. I’m really grateful for this support.”
Fact File:
Favourite music: Old-school R&B and gospel
Favourite group: TKZee
Favourite film: Blood and Water
Favourite holiday destination: Kimberley
Favourite food: Chicken curry and rice
Favourite emoji: Raising Hands
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