Susan Chardy: A Rising Expertise
Susan Chardy makes her appearing debut in Rungano Nyoni’s On Changing into a Guinea Fowl, enjoying Shula a task that earned her the BIFA Breakthrough Award.
A Zambian-English mannequin, actor, and philanthropist, Chardy has labored with world manufacturers like Rimmel London and L’Oréal. She spent 16 years as an envoy for the Nelson Mandela Kids’s Fund and based the annual “Wimby Wednesday” fundraiser. Along with her ardour for giving again, Susan brings a recent perspective to the display on this acclaimed black comedy-drama …
Please introduce your self …
Hello, I’m Susan Chardy, Zambian/British, hard-core Sagittarius.
Describe your life in a single phrase or a sentence …
Really blessed, figuring out that God and my mum have all the time had my again and all the time will.
Why are we right here?
To encourage kindness in others via acts of generosity, igniting a series response that spreads like wildfire, touching lives and making a ripple impact of positivity.
Inform us what On Changing into a Guinea Fowl is about in your personal phrases …
It’s a movie about discovering your voice in your personal approach, reclaiming your energy, and, in doing so, safeguarding future generations by breaking the cycle.
Introduce your character …
I play Shula, a considerably advanced character with an enormous coronary heart. She’s somebody who internalises her emotions and speaks little, however don’t mistake her quietness for weak spot—she’s a pressure to be reckoned with. Shula takes on the position of a mom hen and protector, the reliable member of the family all the time striving to do what’s proper for her family members. A pure chief, she carries many burdens, which at instances hinder her personal targets and ambitions. But, one factor is definite; Shula refuses to stay silent any longer. She’s decided to make sure that future generations in her household have the harmless and carefree childhood she was denied.
Why’d you say sure to enjoying Shula?
There was completely no approach I may say no. It was a movie by the sensible Rungano Nyoni, set in my beloved Zambia, in my mom tongue, and tackling such an vital, common matter. It felt like destiny; this undertaking was meant for me. At that time in my life, when the chance got here alongside, it felt like the proper time to step onto the large display.
As a Ghanaian, I discovered it so attention-grabbing to match our funeral traditions and the similarities and variations, particularly how shortly these of us within the Diaspora are drawn again into honouring them, whether or not we prefer it or not. Are you able to share your private experiences with this and the way being a part of this undertaking honoured that?
I all the time say Zambia is my soul, so returning house has all the time been one thing I deeply cherish. It retains me grounded and provides me that important connection, providing a extra practical perspective on what we really worth in life. I hadn’t been again in about six years, so when this undertaking got here alongside, I used to be completely ecstatic.
Immersing myself again into my tradition was an expertise I treasured, each for the position and personally. Settling again into the traditions was easy, but it was extremely enlightening to find a lot extra about my tradition, particularly round funerals, that I hadn’t identified earlier than. I actually empathised with Shula, having to return and honour elements of custom which are evolving with every era. As an illustration, I’ve youthful sisters and their experiences and expectations are completely different from what I went via once I was their age. This undertaking delicately and superbly explored these shifts whereas staying true to the essence of Zambian tradition; and that’s the wonder and significance of getting Rungano, a Zambian girl, inform this story.
What discussions did you could have with Rungano about how a lot of the custom, and customized to indicate to the world? And the fragile stability of a number of the extra delicate themes inside the movie that Zambians, African, Black individuals might really feel defensive about within the portrayal?
Rungano really excelled at hanging the best stability between being truthful and respectful to the tradition, whereas additionally delicately portraying the cruel realities that may exist inside some households. She had accomplished intensive analysis previous to the shoot, however I used to be all the time amazed by how she would adapt a scene if, midway via a shot, an auntie would say, “In my tribe, we wouldn’t do this, we might do that.” Rungano would graciously open up the dialogue, permitting everybody to share their views, after which we’d all study, resolve collectively, and proceed taking pictures.
Personally, I didn’t really feel the necessity to have particular conversations with Rungano about this. I trusted her utterly, figuring out she would current our tradition in truth and with respect. The reality about oneself isn’t all the time straightforward to look at, however my hope is that African and Black viewers gained’t be offended, however as a substitute really feel proud and concentrate on the core message of the movie. We must be much less involved with how the surface world perceives us and extra targeted on the reality. When you really feel defensive, I encourage you to take heed to that feeling and use it as a chance to make extra knowledgeable decisions shifting ahead.
Your course of making ready for this position?
I didn’t have loads of time to arrange for the position, as Rungano solely shared the script with me a few week or so earlier than I left for Zambia. Whereas I used to be well-prepared with the script, I knew from our conversations that there can be room for a good quantity of improvisation, and fortunate for me, I love improv.
Earlier than I left, I spoke to my youthful sister and my grandma to realize completely different views on funerals again house, as I used to be too younger to have attended any once I lived in Zambia. Crucial factor for me was to immerse myself within the tradition and let it move via my veins, whereas additionally drawing from my very own life experiences that Shula may relate to. However I all the time targeted on Shula as a younger woman and labored on discovering the power and braveness she wanted to guard herself and people round her.
A personality flaw?
Shula internalises all the things. Susan, then again, most undoubtedly doesn’t. I put on my coronary heart on my sleeve. I actually loved exploring this advanced, layered aspect of Shula. I wouldn’t name it a flaw, although; I’d simply say it’s a distinction. Shula merely takes an extended route to achieve the identical conclusion that I might get to in the long run.
Finest qualities?
I beloved portraying the caring, dutiful, and fiercely protecting aspect of Shula. I may actually join with that side of her as a result of it’s one thing I share too. What fascinated me was how Shula’s power was so quietly highly effective. No massive, dramatic ‘kick down the door, Marvel second‘, however nonetheless deeply impactful. Though, if it had been Marvel, I’d undoubtedly kick down that door for you.
Favorite line Shula says …
Oh wow, you’ve stumped me there … I beloved so lots of Nsansa’s (Elizabeth Chisela) traces, a few of which had been absolute killers and I may reel them off simply. However my favorite line from Shula isn’t actually a line in any respect—it’s a phrase, or moderately, the way it’s delivered. It’s the “nn nn,” which means “no“. The shot solely reveals my legs, however the energy of that second is unimaginable to me. The simplicity of it, but how a lot it says, is so highly effective.
Most vital scene?
I’ve two moments that stand out to me. The primary is the hospital mattress scene, the place Nsansa and Bupe are asleep on Shula. That is the second when Shula really acknowledges her trauma, and it marks the start of her actual journey. The second second is the final shot of the movie. It’s so highly effective and encapsulates what this undertaking means and why it was made. ** Spoiler alert** For me, it’s a imaginative and prescient of hope, defiance, energy, and alter. We known as it the “Avengers shot,” and I nonetheless see it that approach. The fantastic thing about the movie is that it permits you to write your personal ending, however that shot, for me, is the one I carry with me.
Juggling an appearing profession and motherhood be like? …
… having that buddy who by no means needs to go away. The one who’s all the time up for doing one thing, chatting, and simply hanging out, whilst you’re considering, ‘I really want to get some work accomplished after this‘. This buddy by no means leaves … however I love it.
I attempt to discover the enjoyment in spending high quality time with my son once I’m with him. It’s instructing me to be extra current. I’m not naturally good at this as a result of my ‘mum mind‘ is all the time forward, planning and organising. I like issues accomplished good and effectively, which could be a blessing and a curse. However once I totally give my consideration to him, it permits me to focus higher on my work once we’re not collectively.
My son means the world to me, so I attempt to map out my time rigorously. In fact, it’s not all ‘Instalife‘, typically life will get chaotic, with random tape requests or different surprises, and that’s when my Susan mind kicks in. I shortly get inventive, juggling work and entertaining my son whereas retaining him secure. It’s all about adapting and discovering stability.
Once they known as your title out because the winner of the British Unbiased Movie Award for Breakthrough Efficiency, first ideas operating via your thoughts?
It took about 5 or 6 seconds to register, after which it was like, ‘WTF?‘ I actually thought it was going to be Saura (Saura Lightfoot-Leon; Hoard, 2023) – one other nominee who utterly blew me away. I apparently stated it out loud three instances. Then, as I walked up, I saved considering, ‘What on earth am I going to say up there?‘ However then I simply informed myself, ‘Do you. Be your self‘.
What would you just like the viewers to most perceive about Shula?
She is just not impolite or disrespectful of her tradition; she merely processes issues in another way and has her causes, which you’ll uncover later within the movie.
Let’s get political …
I do know you talked about that some individuals would possibly really feel defensive, however I imagine On Changing into a Guinea Fowl offers different black individuals the prospect to see themselves in any of the three characters who skilled trauma and carried it in very other ways. It reveals that it’s okay to deal with issues in your personal distinctive approach, however the silence should finish. Whether or not it’s household or not, we—particularly Black girls, and girls typically—have been silenced for much too lengthy.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
If not this, then what? A tennis participant or a singer.
What’s made you unhappy, mad, & glad this week? What makes me unhappy is the heartbreaking protection of the struggling that youngsters are enduring in Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia, and Afghanistan. What makes me mad is the size of time this has been happening and the way greed continues to gasoline it. What makes me really feel glad—although “glad” doesn’t fairly seize it, is the immense gratitude I really feel for having my son in a secure place.
What are you watching? The Diplomat … hooked.
What are you studying? The Silent Affected person by Alex Michaelides.
The final movie you watched? Kneecap – Good. Embarrassed to say that I didn’t know they had been an actual band till the BIFA’s.
The final play you noticed? Shifters – Tosin Cole and Heather Agyepong had been simply so lovely to look at and their timing was perfection. Benedict Lombe is an unimaginable author.
The final reside music occasion? Janet Jackson on the O2. The little woman who was obsessive about Janet rising up had the time of her life.
What’s at the moment in your playlist? Been listening rather a lot to Jon Batiste and Tems. My fave tune can be Come On House by The Lijadu Sisters.
Which podcast are you listening to? I really like catching up on Oprah’s Tremendous Soul Particular and Jay Shetty’s podcasts … So many unimaginable company and matters.
What’s in your bucket record? I’d like to star in a badass motion movie the place I get to do all my very own stunts. I’d additionally actually prefer to have a honeymoon, as we by no means had the time to take one. Take my son and husband on a sundown or dawn sizzling air balloon journey. My son asks about going in a single nearly each night time, and I’ve by no means been in a single myself. Lastly, I’d like to see the Northern Lights.
The place’s your pleased place? Zambia if I journey, however my house all the time. I genuinely love pottering about there.
Rejoice another person … Saura Lightfoot-Leon. She was superbly damaged, attractive and pleasantly weird in Hoard. Her efficiency actually caught with me. She was in my BIFA breakthrough nomination class, and we received to know one another throughout that point. There’s one thing about her … I actually imagine she’s going to be a star and he or she’s already killing it. I can’t wait to see her in The Company and all the things else she does.
Rejoice your self … Oh wow … I’m not nice at speaking about this, however I’m only a mum who’s lastly attending to reside out my dream afterlife made me take the great distance round, and boy, am I residing that dream. My very first position gained me a BIFA for Breakthrough Efficiency and had me nominated for Finest Lead Efficiency alongside actors I’ve admired. It’s all so mind-blowing, however I’m extremely grateful and excited for what’s to come.
What’s subsequent? I’m at the moment studying over scripts and initiatives with my great agent John, so watch this house.
The place can we discover you? (socials) @susanchardy on Instagram. I don’t actually use the rest.
The place can we watch you at work? On Changing into a Guinea Fowl was simply launched in cinemas in Picturehouse cinemas within the UK and Eire on the sixth of December, so catch it there or catch it within the US early this yr.
Fundamental Picture – Photographer: David Reiss
Styling: Miranda Almond
Hair: Deborah Lola
Make-up: Maria Asadi