Spike Lee has released a new flim, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, and it's now in theaters. The film is described as a new kind of love story, one that centers on an addiction to blood that once doomed a long forgotten ancient African tribe.
When Dr. Hess Green (Stephen Tyrone Williams) is introduced to a mysteriously cursed artifact by an art curator, Lafayette Hightower (Elvis Nolasco), he is uncontrollably drawn into a newfound thirst for blood that overwhelms his soul. He, however, is not a vampire. Lafayette quickly succumbs to the ravenous nature of the infliction but leaves Hess a transformed man.
Soon Lafayette's wife, Ganja Hightower (Zaraah Abrahams), comes looking for her husband and becomes involved in a dangerous romance with Hess that questions the very nature of love, addiction, sex and status in our seemingly sophisticated society. A reinterpretation of Bill Gunn's horror cult film, Ganja & Hess, which played as a Critics' Choice at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, Spike Lee's stylized thriller features an original score by Bruce Hornsby.
MStars News reporter, Star Connor, talked one on one with one of Lee's main character's, Zaraah, who is of Iraqi / Barbadian and Jamaican descent. Her beautiful accent comes from growing up in Brixton, South London and she is the eldest of three siblings.
Before her days with Lee, Zaraah attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts for her secondary education, landing the role of Magda in the TV verizon of Jacqueline Wilson's Girls in Love . At the age of 18, she left London to pursue a career in acting in Manchester after landing the role of Joanne Jackson in Coronation Street.
It was Zaraah's performance in Black Girl in Paris that caught Spike Lee's attention. The director of the film, Kiandra Parks , was a student of Mr Lee. After screening a rough cut of the film in his office, Spike Lee contacted Zaraah immediately. She went on to land the lead role in his feature, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.
Zaraah also starred in the 9th and final series of Dancing on Ice. She was selected from previous winners and contestants to feature in this 'All Stars' series.
Star: Are you excited about the new film?
Zaraah: "Yes, I'm very excited I can't believe it's out today! It feels so surreal."
Star: You're in Spike Lee's new film, and you play one of the main characters, Ganja Hightower. Tell us about your character, while not giving too much away.
Zaraah: "I play Ganja, she is the love interest of Dr. Hess Green. She's manipulative, and quit glamorous. She was a lot of fun to play, she has a lot of emotional roller-coasters. It was a privilege."
Star: The film was released around the holiday of "Love," Valentines Day, and features a lot of love and addiction. Why do you think, Spike picked the name, or title, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus?
Zaraah: "I don't know where the name came from to be honest. You would have to ask Spike. When I got the name I was like...hmm, trying to connect the dots and he had some meanings behind it so could probably go into more depth than that."
Star: You were picked by Spike Lee, how did you attract his attention?
Zaraah: "It was his thesis film, Black Girl in Paris. My friend asked me if I would be interested in his fellow-student thesis piece. He sent me the script. I auditioned over Skype, got the role and I filmed Black Girl in Paris, in Paris."
When it comes to Spike, Zaraah says, "Spike was kind of a mentor over the part, as she [Kiandra Parks] showed him the piece in post production. That's where he saw me acting..so he asked for my details, called me and auditioned me, and now a year-in-the half later, the film is coming out."
She adds, "It's a huge honor, I'm excited about it."
Star: How is it working under the direction of Spike Lee?
Zaraah: "It's a huge roller-coaster. He's incredible. He's extremely passionate which is so contagious, and wonderful energy. In the beginning, it can seem a little intimidating but when you watch him, you just want to really be a part of it. You can't stand back too much."
She continues, "He's got such an amazing way and when he's behind that camera, he knows what he's wants and pushes you to places where you didn't think you could get to. It's fantastic! He's extremely funny as well. We got a really good relationship and he makes me laugh daily. I'm honored to have such a good relationship with him. He looks out for me and hopefully it will continue. I'm so grateful."
Check out more of the interview below!
Spike also had a private dinner to celebrate the release of his new film. (Photos seen above).
Check out scenes from, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus below!
Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Trailer from Gravitas Ventures on Vimeo.
