Actress Lunden De’Leon has a film currently released on Netflix called Blackbear. She recently interviewed with FEMI Magazine and had some gems to share about Black women in film, staying on topic of things in your industry and COVID-19’s current impact on production.
Black Women in Film
Black women have fought for roles within Hollywood for decades. Historical icons like Hattie McDaniels (first Black woman to win an Oscar) paved the way for other Black women actresses to enter the space with limited roles available. Lunden De’Leon has her own take on being given enough opportunities as a Black actress.
FEMI Magazine: Do you feel that African American women are being given enough opportunities in the film industry?
Lunden De’Leon: Absolutely not! To be honest, I don’t think it will ever change. We can’t wait on Hollywood to give us an opportunity. We must create our own. Write, produce, direct our own content. We have so much at our fingertips nowadays that wasn’t there when I started out in the business. We have stories that need to be told and an audience ready to watch.
FEMI Magazine: What excites you the most about a new role? How do you prepare yourself for it?
Lunden De’Leon: The script is what excites me the most about a new role. If I can envision it from script to screen- then I’m interested. I’m currently in the middle of production for a thriller entitled “Payne”. In it, I play the role of hard nose detective Yvette Paige. Everything about her excites me. I prepared for Yvette by giving her a “back story”. I also watched a lot of CSI.
FEMI Magazine: Share with us about your recent role in the Netflix film, “Blackbear”. Were you able to relate to the character?
Lunden De’Leon: In “Blackbear”, I play the role of “Nurse London”. She’s a tough nurse with the heart of gold.
How to Stay on Top of Things in the Film Industry
The film industry can be difficult to navigate and here’s how Lunden De’Leon stays on top of her work.
FEMI Magazine: What has helped you to stay on top of things in this industry?
Lunden De’Leon: God and family has helped me stay on top of things in this industry. I moved to South Carolina from Los Angeles not long ago. I wanted to be closer to family. Making that move and prayer has helped me find my balance in this industry
FEMI Magazine: You were recently nominated Best Leading Actress for your role in Pure Justice, how has that experience been?
Lunden De’Leon: It’s been a wonderful experience. To be applauded and recognized for my work as an actress is truly remarkable.
FEMI Magazine: How are you dealing with the pandemic of Covid 19?
Lunden De’Leon: I’ve been isolated in my house. Like so many, it’s been extremely hard. FaceTiming with family and social media has helped me through these dark times.
FEMI Magazine: What’s next for you this year?
Lunden De’Leon: Because of Covid-19, production was shut down on “Payne”. We’re waiting for things to “get better” before getting back to filming. Besides “Payne” I also booked a film entitled “Broken Church”. The script is amazing. We were scheduled to start filming this summer but production has also been pushed back.
Though COVID-19 has slowed down production on Payne and Broken Church, we still look forward to seeing Lunden De’Leon blow audiences away with her performances in those roles. In the meantime, we can all go to Netflix to watch her most recent role in Blackbear.
