Sophie Okonedo is a talented Nigerian/European-Jewish actress most known for her supporting role in "Hotel Rwanda." According to Sophie's IMDB profile she has numerous films in production :
Wonderful World (2007) (pre-production)
Black Water Transit (2007) (pre-production) .... Casey Spandeau
Stringbean and Marcus (2007) (pre-production)
The Martian Child (2007) (completed)
A graduate from the prestigious Cambridge University Sophie has a daughter Aoife with her ex-boyfriend film editor, Eoin Martin. Born on January 1, 1969 Sophie latest TV role is Tsunami: The Aftermath, a made-for-TV movie that highlights the effects of tsunami.
Wonderful World (2007) (pre-production)
Black Water Transit (2007) (pre-production) .... Casey Spandeau
Stringbean and Marcus (2007) (pre-production)
The Martian Child (2007) (completed)
A graduate from the prestigious Cambridge University Sophie has a daughter Aoife with her ex-boyfriend film editor, Eoin Martin. Born on January 1, 1969 Sophie latest TV role is Tsunami: The Aftermath, a made-for-TV movie that highlights the effects of tsunami.
Chris Rock, host of the 77th Academy Awards, embraces Sophie Okonedo, nominated for best supporting actress for her role in "Hotel Rwanda," before the Oscar nominees luncheon, Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Winners of the 77th annual Academy Awards will be announced at the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 27th.
Quick facts on actress Sophie Okonedo:
- She was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress in 2004 for her role in Hotel Rwanda.
- In 2005, Okenedo became the first black actress since Angela Bassett in 1994 to receive an NAACP Image Award nomination for the same role in which she was nominated for an Oscar
"Hotel Rwanda" was Sophie Okonedo's breakthrough role.
A review I wrote on "Hotel Rwanda" when it was released:
"Hotel Rwanda- Oscar's gritty reality check"
2/24/05
Blues singer Ray Charles may have swept the Grammy's this February over such live acts as Usher, Alicia Keys and Kanye West, but in the movies, Hotel Rwanda surely raised a few eyebrows with its eye-opening peep into the gritty of the still on-going Rwanda genocide. The epic film stars Don Cheadle from Ocean's Twelve and British-Nigerian newcomer Sophie Okende. Cheadle, with his smooth acting chops similar to Sammy Davidson Jr.'s in his heyday, brilliantly lifted the viewers off the edge of their seats from the opening act to the end. Cheadle recently picked up an Oscar Best Actor nomination for his role in Rwanda. Rwanda's Cheadle is up against Johnny Depp (Finding Neverland), Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator) and Jaime Foxx (Ray). At press time, Rwanda had taken in 14+ million dollars at the box office, but this is nothing compared to the critical praises it has received. Rwanda has been praised and revered as one of the hidden gems in the Oscar nominations. While Ray's lead actor Foxx and Million Dollar Baby's Hilary Swank have been basking in the Hollywood sunlight, Cheadle has stayed true to his form by carrying such an autobiographical tale of a man deemed as a Nelson Mandela to his own people.Nearly eleven years ago, one million Rwandans were brutally massacred in three months. In 1994, the East African country of Rwanda had been embroiled in deadly war between the Hutus and Tutsis, as each group felt superior to the other. Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle), a Hutu manager of an upscale hotel (hint: Hotel Rwanda), became the Harriet Truman to the Tutsi refugees. The irony of thousands of patrons from around the world traveling to this upscale hotel for the deadly battle can be compared to the irony used in Schindler's List, in which a red rose is the only pure thing left behind the chaotic backdrop. Strong performances by Okende and Cheadle won Rwanda a platoon of prestigious accolades, such as their recent Oscar nomination for Best Actor and their recent win for Best Movie by the Toronto International Film Festival. Arguably one of the few gems in the film industry of 2004, Hotel Rwanda hit an emotional cord through its depiction of the still on-going Rwanda genocide that critics and moviegoers alike are now recognizing. Independently made and directed by Terry George, Hotel Rwanda is a must see film this Oscar season, partly due to its educational value.
Gritty Rwanda is definitely worth the ten dollars at your local box office, but be prepared to break out a few Kleenex and cry.
~~~
On the heels of the succesful "Hotel Rwanda" Sophie was casted in the movie verison "Aeon Flux" of a popular MTV series alongside Charlie Theron.
We at Feels Good 2 B Home applaud Sophie Okendo's acting efforts and wish her all the best!
