Assa Sylla

WHAT’S IT LIKE LIVING IN THE CITY OF LIGHT AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED THERE?
I love Paris. It’s where I was born. I couldn’t see myself living in the suburbs for example. It has nothing to do with the city. Paris is always alive whether it be day or night, and everything is within close proximity. Paris is magical.

HOW DO YOU KEEP IT FASHIONABLY PARISIENNE?
I really don't have personal style. I change my look every day. I don't like keeping the same thing going. You'll find me in super classy attire as well as in sneakers.

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN ACTRESS?
I never decided. I stumbled on it. I never thought of becoming an actress one day. “Girlhood” was a wildcard. My friends got noticed in the streets and told me about a casting and asked if I wanted to come. I didn’t believe it at first, it sounded impossible. Because I’m curious by nature, I decided to follow them. Once there I was scheduled an audition session. I had nothing to lose, so I decided to try. I was later called back for several screen tests and then in the end I was told that I’d been offered the character called, “Lady”. Thanks to "Girlhood" I discovered the craft and immediately put the appropriate action in place. I got an agent and have since continued acting.

IS IT A CAREER PATH THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND?
Absolutely. I’m living the dream!

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT “GIRLHOOD” - THE MOVIE AND REAL LIFE AND DO YOU SHARE ANY SIMILAR TRAITS WITH THE CHARACTER YOU PLAY?
“Girlhood” is a fictional movie but a large part of it is grounded in reality. A lot of girls experience what occurs in the film. What happens to Marieme in the scene where she’s denied entry to high school by the principal, happened to me personally, I had the grades but was held back anyway when there were other girls whose grades weren't as good but went on to do their secondary school education. As for, "Lady", I'm completely different from her in real life. I'm not the leader of the group. I'm very sensitive. On the other hand, I can identify with friendship between girls. The complexity, the fun moments and all that stuff.

YOU AND KARIDJA TOURÉ HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR A CÉSAR AWARD FOR YOUR RESPECTIVE PERFORMANCES IN “GIRLHOOD”, HOW EXCITED ARE YOU ABOUT THAT?
We're ecstatic and especially proud of ourselves. It's encouraging, and it’s our work being recognised.

WHAT WAS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT SHOOTING THE FILM?
It was the coolest and best film of my life (thus far). We were in good company, and the crew was a riot. The scenes in the film weren’t difficult to shoot. The only one that was tiring, is the fight scene. It was really hot. I had on a sweater, a jacket, and I had to keep sliding to the ground. Apart from that, everything went well and we’re proud of the result.

WHICH MEDIUM DO YOU PREFER, TELEVESION OR CINEMA?
I like both. But, I prefer the big screen.

WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE ACTOR?
I have several, Lupita Nyong'o, Omar Sy, Leïla Bekhti, Denzel Washington and many more.

AND WHAT DO YOU DO BESIDES ACTING?
I recently graduated high school and have decided to put my further studies on hold to take on more roles and devote myself to the world of cinema. If it doesn’t work out, then it’s back to class.