Sofia Boutella is well aware of the pain of losing a home. Originally from Algeria, she was forced to flee to Paris at the age of 10 due to the civil war in her home country. Now 41, Boutella used this traumatic experience to inform her role as Kora in Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire,” where she plays a woman who has been uprooted from her former life and must start anew in a village on a distant moon. Like Kora, Boutella understands the sacrifices and rewards of such a journey.
Prior to entering the world of acting, Boutella was a dancer, training in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop in both Algeria and France. She also pursued rhythmic gymnastics and even spent time on the French national team, before ultimately transitioning into the role of a dancer in campaigns for Nike Women and performances with Madonna, Rihanna, and Usher. Her experiences as a dancer and her journey from Algeria to France ultimately shaped her ability to connect with Kora’s storyline in “Rebel Moon.”
Speaking of her childhood and the impact of the civil war, Boutella reflects on the culture shock she experienced upon moving to France at the age of 10. Despite the challenges, she found refuge in the art of dance, which allowed her to express herself and find comfort in a foreign land. She continues to hold onto her love of dance, finding solace in it and expressing her desire to possibly pursue a dance musical in the future.
When it comes to her roles in action movies, Boutella expresses that she didn’t necessarily plan to enter this genre but rather found herself in these roles because of her background in dance. Her disciplined dance training enabled her to adapt to the physical demands of action movies, including fight choreography and martial arts, ultimately leading her to embrace these opportunities.
In “Rebel Moon,” Boutella discusses how her role as Kora represents her first leading role, reflecting on her past experiences working with mentors and learning from seasoned actors. She values the mentorship and the opportunity to continue learning and growing as an actor. She is drawn to the complexity of Kora’s character and the depth of emotions she must navigate, appreciating the opportunity to portray a strong, multifaceted woman in the film.