Malube Uhindu-Gingala is a fast-rising actor to watch from Montreal, Quebec, and is currently based in Toronto, Canada. Malube had her sights on the entertainment industry at a young age when she would participate in her school’s theatre productions every year. Her first big break came when she starred in the television mystery drama miniseries ‘The Truth About The Harry Querbert Affair’ opposite Damon Wayans Jr. Since then, Malube has amassed a growing body of work. We had the opportunity to speak to Malube about her latest projects, including the highly anticipated medical drama television miniseries Five Days At Memorial on Apple TV+.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Congratulations on your career to date. How did you get into the film and TV industry?
Believe me, it’s my pleasure to catch up with you, and thank you so much. There are so many components to that question so I’ll start with what sparked my interest in the film industry. I loved watching films with my parents; so much so, that my siblings and I would create storylines for the characters beyond the films. I had to know what the characters were doing to make me resonate with their stories, even though I was a child. I followed my interest in acting all through high school and then proceeded to study theatre afterward.
Please tell us more about the Soulpeppers’ Youth Program.
The youth program was a catalyst for me to continue acting and writing; it is in this program that I learned about collective creation. It affirmed that the best way I know how to serve is to be an artist. The wonderful thing about the Soulpepper Youth Program, which was led by the incomparable Paula Wing, is that it fed my curiosity to explore different facets of storytelling in the industry. I’m so happy that I was chosen to be a part of that program, that I was exposed to the excellent theatre in the city at such a young age, and that I was surrounded by young artists that were just as curious as I was, which was new for me. Made me feel like I belonged.
Who are your biggest industry influences, and why?
The industry changed so much within the past decade and the transformation is beautiful. I’m inspired by those who not only excel in the industry but are also able to help others in the process of creating stories that are newer to the screen as well as hiring talent from all over the world. Influences like Ava DuVernay, Mindy Kaling, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Michaela Coel; the list is endless.
Your first professional role was portraying Joelle the grief-stricken daughter in the SummerWorks Festival production of the late Maxine Marcellin’s KEEN directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa. Please recall your experience with this production.
It’s hard to imagine a time when the industry was new to me, but that was then. I owe a huge part of my work ethic to ‘Keen.’ Acting isn’t just about ‘acting’ – there are levels to this. I remember making myself a schedule beyond the play’s schedule, to make sure I had the energy to take care of myself. Creating is so intentional; and the theme of this story was grief, loss, mental health, and playing a character who was severely affected by her sister’s death that her version of breaking down was not to speak? I had to make sure, I, as, Malube was okay, so I checked in a lot with myself. It was ‘Keen’ where I gained the awareness of the scope of being healthy for a successful creative lifestyle. ‘Keen’ – was an all-female cast and predominantly female crew; to have this production be one of my first professional roles simultaneously with ’The Beauty Project,’ was a gift.
You received two Dora Nominations for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in SICK: THE GRACE PROJECT, Can explain how you came to write this, and has success in writing material encouraged you to write more for film and theatre?
For the SICK collective and me, it was an act of courage to not only transmute our experiences but to share them with the world. I was writing with the rAiz’n ensemble prior to joining the SICK collective, so I had experience in collective creation work. I felt that my previous experience lent itself to my piece about being bullied, for SICK. While we were in the show, many audience members confided in me to tell me that they experienced something similar to me, but either didn’t know how to articulate it or normalized it. The play’s success was a personal affirmation for me; that I had more stories to share through writing and creating. I got into producing as a result of this decision.
To what extent has the project’s success and your accolades shaped your appreciation of the industry?
I realized through that piece that what the industry needed was ‘me,’ not some curated, 2nd version of myself. I was always drawn to artists creating their own content, and thus, I felt like the stories that were being told in our industry, and the faces representing these stories were starting to change. I knew that there was space for me, as the industry is ever-changing, but I realized that I could create my own space as well. It’s courageous to put yourself out there as an artist every single day; there’s no place to hide, even for a second. So with that, I have a tremendous amount of respect for anyone who decides to turn their artistry into a lifestyle.
You starred opposite Damon Wayans Jr.in the television mystery drama miniseries ‘ The Truth About the Harry Querbert Affair’ (MGM Television) where you played the role of Tisha Gahalowood. Is it fair to say this was your big break? Please share with us your experiences on set.
What I loved most about my time in this television show in particular, is that I was still, very much a student. I absorbed everything that was going on around me; mesmerized by Damon & Ben’s ease in the work. I took that opportunity as a chance to learn from the masters of the craft. The most exciting part about this experience is that I got to work with the director, Jean-Jacques Annaud. I remember how precise his vision was and how impressed I was by that. Also, we were filming in Quebec and most of the crew was bilingual (English & French), so I loved going back and forth between English and French because that’s how I grew up.
You’ve amassed a growing body of work, featuring in several popular television productions. What has been your most challenging role to date, and why?
In my role on Titans; the circumstances in the scene were difficult; I was speaking my father tongue ‘Lingala’ (from the Democratic Republic of Congo), for the screen, for the first time. There’s something so visceral about speaking a language that’s in my blood memory, that I hardly speak in real life. I felt more rooted and at the same time, scared for my life because I wanted to do well AND be believable in the circumstance I was in. It was incredible to act in a hazmat suit and to experience such high stakes; what a thrill. Another reason why I love filmmaking; the setting for me in this episode was in The Congo.
We look forward to seeing you in the forthcoming Apple TV+ production titled’ Five Days At Memorial’. Please tell us more about your role and what audiences can expect.
Thank you so much!
I love Tarika Hill because she’s incredibly charismatic and fun! Yes, her occupation is demanding but she finds the light in it. She’s friends with her colleagues; she’s personable. She’s dedicated to her job and she’s a hard worker. She’s taught me to approach life at 100%; when there’s trouble, deal with it head-on.
When it comes to what the audiences can expect, you know the truth is, I don’t know. What happened during Hurricane Katrina is so multilayered, and it means so many different things to so many people. I know what I expect from the show which is to be caught up in the story, sadness in the inevitability of it all, to empathize with the characters because their basic needs will be shown. These days I’m accepting that storytelling can elicit so many feelings within a human being. It could also be anger, frustration as well as clarity about Hurricane Katrina and what happened at Memorial Hospital. I think that turning Five Days at Memorial into a limited series was an intelligent move. Whenever we watch the news, if it doesn’t pertain to us, we are affected by it for a moment and then we move on. This time around, we get to invest in these characters and their lives, and their reaction to this tragedy.
What other projects are you currently working on?
I have a film on Lifetime that was released in June called, ‘Trapped With My Husband,’ directed by Roxanne Boisvert. I also have a Christmas film coming out soon; I can’t wait to tell you more once the details are released!!
Where can our readers find out more about you and your projects? Note: please provide website and social media links.
My instagram handle is @malubeug; I update my Instagram about my projects and once in a blue moon, I’ll post about my life.
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