“Addicted,” best-selling author Zane’s thriller is now a movie, and actors Boris Kodjoe and Tyson Beckford sat down with the Chicago Defender to explain why people should support the film.
“Go see it, not because we’re trying to get your money or get the numbers up, but just go see it because you’re going to learn something from it,” said model and actor Beckford.
He said it addresses sexual addition, which is something that the Black community doesn’t openly discuss.
“We talk about everything else, what’s out in fashion, who’s doing what, but we don’t talk about the things that really emotionally touch our hearts,” he said,
Kodjoe accepted his role for that exact reason.
“I was intrigued because it’s a film that moves into uncharted waters; it addresses topics that I think have been misunderstood and laughed at and ignored, especially in our community,” he said. “It takes on taboos and hopefully will open up a dialogue and that’s why I wanted to get involved.”
The film, directed by Bille Woodruf, is about Zoe Reynard, a successful businesswoman, who is played by actress Sharon Leal. She is know for her role in Dreamgirls. From the outside, Zoe appears to have the perfect life–thriving career, attentive and attractive husband (Kodjoe’s character Jason) and two adorable children. Despite everything she has, she still feels unfulfilled and begins to give in to sexual temptations. Zoe starts to live a secret life, which ultimately puts her marriage in danger. Tasha Smith, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Kat Graham, and William Levy also star in the film.
Besides memorizing lines, Beckford said that preparing for his role as Cory, one of Zoe’s suitors, didn’t require more than visiting the gym.
“I was in the gym, working out because I knew we had shirtless scenes,” said Beckford with a laugh. “I wanted to look good for the ladies and I wanted to look good for my co-star[Leal].”
And when you’re taking off your shirt in front of cameras, it helps if you trust the people you’re working with, said Kodjoe.
“Trust is key to a set like that where you’re so you’re so vulnerable physically and emotionally,” he said.
It helped that Kodjoe had worked with most of the cast and the director before.
“There was never a time where I felt out of place or like insecure, it was a safe environment,” said Kodjoe.
For him, getting into character was just a matter of really understanding how Jason, Zoe’s husband, must have felt. He said he always brings something personal to a character.
Both actors encourage people to see the movie not just for the sizzling sex scenes, but also for the real issues that that are addressed throughout it.
It hits select theaters Oct. 10.
