USA: actress Halle Berry goes into production

American actress Halle Berry is expanding her career by venturing into production with her company, Halle Holly. This presents a new challenge for the 57-year-old star, who has predominantly worked in front of the camera throughout her life. Notably, she stands as the first and only black actress to have received the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Reflecting on her journey, Berry shared, «Despite being an Oscar winner for two decades, I’ve often lacked the agency to make pivotal decisions. This accolade didn’t offer the same career acceleration for me due to my identity as a black woman. However, establishing my production company has shifted the paradigm. Now, I have the liberty to select projects. I can stumble upon a captivating book and think, ‘I want to adapt this into a screenplay.’ Or I can nurture an idea and transform it into a script. This autonomy enables me to choose my collaborators, decide the kind of producers I want to work with, essentially creating opportunities for myself. It’s incredibly empowering to have reached this stage, continuing my presence in the industry, making independent decisions, and carving my path».

During an interview in Saudi Arabia, Berry reminisced about her career and highlighted the impact certain actors had on her.

«PenĂ©lope Cruz holds a special place for me. I worked with her in the film ‘Gothika.’ Sometimes, beyond professional collaboration, you connect with someone’s essence. I admired her from the outset. Yes, she’s my favorite. Billy Bob Thornton, too, left a lasting impression. We worked on a chilling movie together that truly unnerves. His demeanor was gracious, kind, and respectful. Delving deep into a role alongside someone unfamiliar isn’t easy, but he was profoundly respectful. Similarly, Pierce Brosnan, my James Bond, embodied that same regard».

Looking ahead, Berry revealed her next project—a forthcoming action film featuring Angelina Jolie. Both actresses will co-produce the film through their respective production companies, though the release date has not yet been disclosed.

Justine