Sheila Atim, a Ugandan-British actor, portrays the character of Amenza in the movie “Woman King”. The
role of Amenza is a spiritual leader and warrior who is fighting against the slave trade.
Atim was drawn to the role because of the duality it presented, as it allowed her to explore her own
spiritual practices and reconcile her two sides.
To prepare for the role, Atim did extensive research, including talking to a Vodun expert in Benin. She
learned that Vodun is not a pacifist religion, and that it embraces death, the afterlife, and sacrifice. This
understanding helped her to imbue her character’s fighting style with the “righteous cause” style of a
Shaolin monk.
Atim also had the opportunity to work closely with Viola Davis, who played the character of Nanisca, a
warrior leader. Atim found working with Davis to be incredibly inspiring and beneficial to her
performance, as Davis was generous and collaborative in their scenes together.
Throughout her research and preparation, Atim made sure to focus on the script and not get
overwhelmed by too much information.
By exploring the layers underneath the character and the backstory, Atim was able to give Amenza
different shades and depth.
The movie “Woman King” is a powerful story of the resilience and strength of women who fought
against the injustices of the slave trade, and Atim’s portrayal of Amenza is a crucial part of bringing that
story to life.
Check out the trailer below:
