You never know when your red carpet might flood and you end up at a tea party.
The BAFTA Tea Party, hosted at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on a rainy Sunday afternoon, served as an unexpected gathering point for the cast of Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri’s “Clarissa.” Following the film’s premiere at the New York Film Festival, which was marred by the weather, notable actors like India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh, Ayo Edebiri, David Oyelowo, and Sophie Okonedo mingled alongside other stars, including Sebastian Stan and Carrie Preston.
Slated to debut on December 11, “Clarissa” is a contemporary adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s literary classic “Mrs. Dalloway,” set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria.
“It’s remarkable to see such a diverse array of talent from the diaspora come together in one project, especially being filmed on the continent,” expressed Amarteifio. “Many of us in the cast have deep roots together in the industry yet have never shared screen time until now.”
Filming in Lagos marked a significant milestone for many cast members, offering them a rare chance to create art in Africa.
Amarteifio reflected on her experience, stating, “Although I’m of mixed heritage, being in West Africa felt incredibly warm and communal. I felt very welcomed by the environment and the culture.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Jimoh who noted how he diverges from conventional tea traditions, saying, “I’m not a big tea drinker, except for Moroccan mint tea, which I adore. But if forced, I might prefer hot chocolate instead.”
Meanwhile, Preston, starring in the upcoming season of “Elsbeth,” joked about her sleuthing skills, playfully admitting that real-life detective work might not be her forte.
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