Spotlight on actress & dancer Sofia Boutella
The gorgeous dancer-turned-actor is this season’s breakout action star
TOUGH COOKIE The Algerian star shows off her action skills as a butt-kicking contract killer named Nice in the gritty sci-fi movie Hotel Artemis.
The 36-year-old had only two days to learn her serious kung-fu moves. “We had little time; we shot the movie in 33 days. I learnt my moves in two days and then we shot it. It was intense.”
The French-speaking beauty – whose movie credits include Atomic Blonde, The Mummy and Star Trek: Beyond – says “kicking ass” comes more naturally than learning dialogue. “I find that more challenging because English is something I’m still learning.”
Set in a dystopian Los Angeles, the plot centres on a secret hospital for criminals that’s run by The Nurse, played by Oscar winner Jodie Foster. It also stars Sterling K Brown, Jeff Goldblum, Dave Bautista and Zachary Quinto.
DANCING ROOTS Sofia made a name for herself as a dancer before Hollywood noticed her. The daughter of a jazz musician dad and architect mom, she started classical dance lessons at age five.
Her family left Algeria for France where she took up rhythmic gymnastics, joining the national team. Later she moved on to hip-hop and starred in Nike’s 2005 Keep Up ad (she dances next to the giant boom box).
She danced for Madonna during her Confessions and Sticky & Sweet tours. “I met Madonna when I was 22 and danced with her until I was 28. She’s an important person in my life.”
FAHRENHEIT FEVER This year she’s in the Emmy- nominated HBO drama Fahrenheit 451. Based on the novel of the same name it’s about a dystopian world run by the mass media. “I loved the book. My character, Clarisse, is quite different from the book though. She’s an informer who sells electronics.”
She calls co- star Michael B Jordan “phenomenal”. “He’s such a good actor, and so intelligent and funny.
“It’s lovely to work with somebody who’s as invested in the characters and story as I am because we realised, not only are we making an awesome film, but the importance of the message within the film is huge.”