07 Jul 2022

Mophato Dance Theatre’s Lone Motsomi  has captivating dance moves that have landed her a role in the film; The Woman King.

The role is a game changer for the young performer known as Lone_loh. 

She will be among female warriors or amazons in a Hollywood movie, which was inspired by events that happened in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, The Woman King tells the story of the agoji, a real-life army of women warriors who defended the powerful West African kingdom of Dahomey in present-day Benin during the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Filmed in South Africa last year November and due for release this September, the movie has a accomplished female cast such as America’s Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim and some of South Africa’s actresses Thuso Mbedu, Sivuyile Ngesi and also making her film debut is former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi as well as many other talented actors and actresses.

Lone_loh said in an interview that last year August her best friend who resides in South Africa reached out to her about the movie’s audition.

 “I sent through my audition video and resume and I got shortlisted,” Lone_loh said.

She said prior to sending her audition video, she undertook intensive training as they had specifically informed applicants  of what was needed.

 “I thought I was going to be a stun tee because of the description of what I will be doing in the film,” she explained.

But, she later learnt after being shortlisted that she will be one of the agoji.

“The female warriors who are seen at the beginning of the movie and throughout as they do all the fighting scenes in the film.”

She said being from a stunt to actually appearing on the film was a big thing for her because stun tees do not have any appearance on the movie.

Working alongside Hollywood’s talented and most skilled women in the film industry has been an honour for Lone_loh.

“It is a beautiful thing to see women coming together and telling a true story of how powerful and fearless women were back in the day, and even now,” Lone_loh said.

She said the highlight of being among these women was the connection they had, which showed unity and admiration of each other.

 “We had such a casual beautiful experience when off-set, where we would talk about anything from the weather and how tired we were,” Lone_loh said.

She said sharing the set with Davis and Mbedu was a testimony that dreams are possible. 

“Viola is a big person in the film industry and sharing the movie set with her was just phenomenal and mind-blowing with butterflies every single moment when we met” Lone_loh said.

After shooting The Woman King, Lone_loh went to the United States to pursue her goals.

“I have so much that I want to do,” said Lone_loh adding she has a mentor who is helping her understand film and being a stunt woman.

“Stunt work was my first job and I need someone who is best placed to walk with me as I am yet to face more stunt jobs and what a better way to do it in the US,” she said.

She noted that her mentor also worked in The Woman King, and Lone_loh said she ceased the moment and grabbed the opportunity then.

However, she said though her relocation to the US was not permanent it was long term, but not ruling out the possibility for a permanent move.

Asked of her plans with Mophato Dance Theatre, she said the group was a foundation where all her fdreams were established, cultivated and where she believed that everything was possible.

“Once I started at Mophato, I felt like I was home and that everything is possible. They understood what I was about, after all the group is about performing, exploring dance and travelling the world,” she said.

Lone_loh said she would work with Mophato Dance Theatre in future.

 “It will always be that company that is in my heart, it will always be a place I call home for me,” she said.

She said even though she was seeking growth in different platforms and spreading her wings on her own, she would gladly stage a piece with them and even give workshops with the dance group.

The budding entertainer advised fellow Batswana in the artistic space to never give up on their dreams and goals no matter how many times they were blown away into negativity.

She acknowledged that it was hard to make it in this industry, especially for a young enthusiastic artistes in Botswana, especially now with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “You will never know where and when you will end up with or work with in future, you will never know when that big opportunity and that moment will happen,” she said.  Ends