If you’ve been looking for a new series to binge-watch in the sci-fi, supernatural drama genre, and haven’t heard about Lovecraft Country starring Jurnee Smollett and Jonathan Majors on HBOMAX, then you need to check this series out. There’s a lot of buzz going on and the first episode will have you hooked!
We were able to catch up with one of the characters in this series to find out more about working on this series, what they’re doing during quarantine and what’s coming up.
Not to spoil the series for you (if you’ve watched up to episode 4, this will be an interesting read as the actor takes you inside of the episode and their character,) but we are going to do our best not to spoil it.
About Lovecraft Country: Lovecraft Country is a supernatural drama series developed by Misha Green and is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Matt Ruff. The main character, Atticus Black joins his friend Letitia and his Uncle George to embark on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father.
In Lovecraft Country Episode 4 “A History of Violence”, we are introduced to a new character, Yahima, near the end of the episode, and this character is played by Monique Candelaria, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who has many talents including singing and dancing in addition to her on-screen talent in TV and Movies. (See her filmography here).
Our Interview with Monique Candelaria
Tell us how you found out about Lovecraft Country and how you were cast?
Last year my agent, Tina Presley, reached out to me because she was contacted by Kim Coleman Casting to have me audition for the role of ‘Yahima’. I hadn’t previously landed anything with Kim Coleman in the past, but this is when an artist gets validation in knowing that even when we audition and don’t land a role we are seen, and when the right role comes up we are kept in mind.
When I saw the character description, I felt an immediate bond and felt blessed to have been given the opportunity to embody this character because it touched close to home in more areas than one. After I gave confirmation that I was okay with everything they were asking for I was given the opportunity to turn in a video submission. I sent in 1 take because I truly felt it captured the essence of the character and within 4 days, I learned that I was pinned for the role. A couple of weeks later my agent called me with the news that I was officially cast and the very next day I was flown out to California to have a mold created of my head and lower body. That experience was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life and I am so grateful.
Tell us about your character, Yahima
Yahima is a dynamic indigenous character, originating from a Caribbean Arawak tribe, who embodies the nature of being two-spirited as well as what it means to have knowledge that others will do anything to possess.
In the episode, Atticus is used to translate what Yahima is saying; but, by not having direct subtitles there was a lot that the audience did not have the pleasure of discovering because Yahima goes into great detail about who ze is, where ze comes from, where ze learned the knowledge that Titus yearned for and how ze was repaid for teaching him what he desired.
There was no way to have Atticus recite word for word what was said and much was lost in the final cut when any lines that Atticus did not directly translate were taken out. With this said, allow me to share the rich history of this character that was shared with me, line by line, for I truly believe this character will entrance those that relate to ze’s story as I did.
Arawak Translation Line by Line for Yahima’s dialogue with Atticus
You’re not Titus. (Li Titus khuru bokia.)
Where is he? (Halumüñikai?)
You’re of his blood. (Lüthena bokia.)
He lied to me. (Likia amurhidaaka de.)
Forced me to teach him. (Lümarhikhutukuta kuba de lümüng.)
He killed my… (Likia aparakuba da…)
Who am I? (Halikan dai?)
Yahima. Maraokoti. (Yahima. Maraocoti.)
Woman-(and) man. (Hiyaru mathu wadili)
Two-spirit. Neither. Both. All. (Bian üya // abakhuruda // Biambe // Harhang)
A child born of the anaconda. (Aba kamudu üsa dai.)
I coil back unto myself and draw my life from both earth and sea. (Hurhurhu mathu barhaa ulukuaria da asurutun dakakü.)
I come from “The Land of Many Waters”. (Wuin hebira wariathu dai.).
Titus came on his ship. (Li Titus andakubathe lükanang uluku.)
Searching for ones who could read his book. (Awahüdüng abali bithiru alesedithima lükartang)
I knew the symbols from the caves of Alomun Kundi. (Dadita tu kharasaha tu hurhurhu uluku // alumüng kundi münthu.)
I had no reason to distrust him. (Dakhidwaheidai.)
I had never encountered a people so hungry. (Abahan diaru da khuru dai otiking kidianthu panasiang kaküthube.)
Always hungry. (Panasiaakware tha.)
When I saw Titus for what he was. (Dadikhiñi bena halika lañiñi khidwaheiñiwabu li Titus.)
I refused to decipher anymore words. (Makarhemediti da sabuka tu kharasaha.)
He [promised] told me [to reunite me with my people] (“I will take you to your people”) (“Danikipa damawa bü bükürüküya bithiru” lakubada damüng.)
And he kept that promise… (Kyeng kia lañika.)
By killing them all and imprisoning me here with them. (Lüparakubaye, harhang // kyeng lühayarhudakuba de yaha Namakwa.)
I [used] (hid myself with) the words on those pages [to cocoon myself] from him (dayakatwa loria tu karata ulukuthu kharasaha abu.)
They are meant to protect (me)… (Kia takarataatika de.)
You are not guilty of your forefather’s sins Masikiñi tha haburi bümüng barhing, büburahithi abwabe.)
But I do not know your spirit. (Maditin da büya.)
I will not help you. (Maburuatüñi dapa bü.)
What are you enjoying about the new series?
I have always gravitated toward sci-fi, supernatural horror, and action fantasy tales so Lovecraft Country is right up my alley; But what I love most about it is the research, history, and parallels draw from fictional stories to real-life monsters. Taking a walk in another man’s shoes, from all walks of life, is how I view the core component of this series. I was thrilled to see how this series has not only touched on racism but spirituality, social norms, indigenous cultures, sexuality, various forms of power, and how it is used and abused. I have never encountered a show like this one before and I can’t wait to see how it continues to grow.
We’d like to find out more about you and your experience as an actor
One aspect of this character that many may not realize was an incredible physical feat for me was the underwater scenes.
I remember getting the call asking how I am in the water. In my mind, I’m thinking… Hmmm, I’m a desert girl. My swimming pool was me sitting in a black trash bag, holding up the edges with a hose inside it. Boy oh boy did me and my cousins think this was the best idea ever. I giggle and the thought of how genuinely excited I was over our self-created swimming pools.
But here I am getting asked this question and there is no way I am going to say that. So, I told them, “I won’t drown but I wouldn’t say I’m a fish”. They laughed and said that was the best answer I could give. That they would set up a time and place for me to be evaluated and they would set up lessons accordingly because I was to have scene in a 24ft tank with low visibility and have only 4 to 5 inches of air above me when we entered the elevator.
I’ve never been claustrophobic which was a plus but I knew that I needed to be more than a little prepared so that I wouldn’t panic when I was there. So, when I came back home from working on the film, “Driftless” in Michigan I got in contact with my sensei, Mike Kirby, and asked him if he knew anyone that could train me to swim. To my surprise, he said he could!
So, for 2 days, 2 hours each day, he went over everything with me!!! By the end, I realize I may not have grown up near the water but I felt at home in it and learned everything really quickly. By the time I was sent to Atlanta, Georgia to be evaluated I was ready and passed with flying colors so no further lessons were necessary. But when I got self-validation for all that I had worked for is when I needed to dive into the elevator. On the rehearsal day, the day before we were to shoot our scenes, I needed to dive into the water and swim into the elevator passing everyone and slowly get to the back and come up calmly so I wouldn’t hit my head when I came up. Well, I took the dive and I thought I went deep enough to clear the entry of the elevator but with no visibility in the water, I learned with a harsh thud that I didn’t as slammed my head straight into the textured rock wall. It was at this moment that I didn’t panic or gasp for air. I used my hands to lower myself below the doorway of the elevator, swam past everyone calmly, and came up for air without hitting my head. No one wants to hit their head like that but I have to say that embarrassment aside I was ecstatic to know how far this desert girl had come.
What was your actual first “industry” job versus what you do now
My 1st industry job was being cast by Robert Baxter as a featured extra in a film called, “Spoken Word”.
In this film, I was to play the mother of the main character in a flashback because she was deceased in the present. This scene was the link to connecting the main character to his father and the importance of the gift the father was giving his son. When the film was complete, I was invited to the premier and quickly learned that my scene did not make the final cut because it was shot in a car in front of a green scene, and in post-production, they couldn’t get around to getting it replaced. None the less I was grateful for the opportunity and it felt good to be complimented for my work and given an explanation because they certainly didn’t have to. So this experience in comparison to what I am doing now is finding that in the last film I worked on called, “Driftless” I was number one on the cast list and for the biggest series, I have ever worked on “Lovecraft Country” trusted me to bring to life an incredibly complex character and allow Yahima’s voice to speak to all those whose stories are not often told or talked about.
Favorite project you’ve worked on
Hands down, Lovecraft Country is my favorite project I have worked on so far! This project challenged me in the most beautiful ways by allowing myself to embrace history experienced by many indigenous cultures, honor the Arawak language by learning every line inside and out so I could convey the story my character was telling with authenticity, as well as allowing myself to be vulnerable with my own sexuality and allow it to be embellished in order to bring out another layer to this character that relates to culture and all those that find themselves in a trans-state of being.
Best on-set experience
OOOooooo…. This is a hard one because all throughout my career I have had moments that I consider absolutely priceless!
However, I will always be fond of the 1st film I was officially cast in called, “Bless Me, Ultima” because it benchmarked moments that have impacted my career in more ways than one. Here are some of the moments I cherish… My fiancée Simone (Denise) Gurule and I auditioned in front of the director, Carl Franklin, and we were both cast in this film making us both Sag-Eligible at the same time! We got to be a part of a cultural story written by Rudolfo Anaya which was a tale that we grew up with all throughout our childhoods.
On-set I worked with Tina Presley who is now my agent and while on set Simone and I built bonds with our other cast mates in a way that went far beyond this project. They became family and we have watched our careers circle around each other and have celebrated with each other for all the unbelievable accomplishments we have achieved in life and on-screen. So, I want to give a shout out to Raul Castillo, Joseph Garcia, Benito Martinez, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luis Bordonada, and Julia Flores for being amazingly talented individuals who are beautiful inside and out.
Favorite person, you’ve worked with
My favorite person I have worked with was Jeff Goldblum while on the set of “Independence Day: Resurgence”.
While on set I got to see how he ran through his internal dialogue out loud. He wasn’t afraid to pace, practice, and engage in conversation of his own doing. We had an incredibly philosophical conversation about ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ and whether or not complete destruction of the world as we know it would be the only way to heal and reconstruct it into something truly beautiful.
After our conversation, he asked what my character name was. When I told him I didn’t have an actual name, that I was cast as “Tech Officer”, he asked me my name and told me he was going to improve my name into his dialogue when he addresses me when he enters the ship to pull up specific screens. When that scene came up he performed it as it was written and then gave several improved versions where he addresses my character by name and I was absolutely mind blown. In the final cut, they didn’t keep his improvisation but that was okay. Jeff was definitely doing what he could to send the elevator back down and I will always cherish him for that.
Top 5 TV shows and movies
5 Top Shows
Lovecraft Country
Game of Thrones
Warrior Nun
Altered Carbon
American Horror Story
5 Top Movies
Harry Potter
Lord of the Rings
Pirates of the Caribbean
Twilight
The Conjuring
Hardest part of your job
The hardest part of my job is waiting. That’s why I like to give it my all, forget about it and be genuinely surprised when I get calls/emails of good news.
How’s your quarantine going?
Quarantining has been one of the most frustrating yet invigorating experiences I have ever had to go through. During this time I have had to accept a change in lifestyle, be completely cut off from the film industry as they figure out safety procedures and yet this break has allowed me to evaluate where I am, where I am going, how I want to brand myself, revamp my materials and find new creative passions I never knew existed.
Currently, I am developing a lifestyle brand called Shypht. As a creative being, I feel that we are divided by titles when in reality every creative being has common ground in the desire to inspire and create change; so I want to create a unified space where we can acknowledge all those that live in a creative realm and let these individuals be recognized as Shyphtors. A Shyphtor is a physical being living a creative life, who is willing to adapt, mutate, and evolve to alter the perception and reality of themselves and the world around them.
If you find that your life is built on this notion whether you are in the arts, an activist, a politician, spiritual guru, or someone who likes to challenge social norms than you have found a home with this lifestyle brand where your creative endeavors are limitless and not restricted by titles.
What are you doing during the pandemic to keep your craft up?
In order to keep my craft up during the pandemic, I have taken the time to look over everything I have ever done, acknowledge which typecasts I fall into, how I can accentuate what I have going, and revamp them to open up new opportunities. I have actively participated in monologue and scene challenges online and worked on developing my team for when things start rolling.
Also, I’m remembering to still live, to love, and experience the world around me because it is these natural connections to life that gives us the best tools to work with when we are diving into our craft.
To find more gigs?
Now that more of my works are beginning to come out, I am giving my agent and manager the tools they will need to pitch me if they see something that fits.
To have fun and stay sane?
Aside from writing; which I fully intend to pitch some original ideas for future films, painting is my new found passion to have fun and stay sane!!! MKC is the acronym I use for my art. It means Metaphysical Kaleidoscope of Consciousness. As an artist in general I feel that perception is everything and most everything that I create is open for interpretation and speaks differently to all those that view it.
Connect with Monique
If you’d like to see some of her creations check out her Instagram page by searching MKC.369 and her acting Instagram Page @MoCa369. Like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueCandelaria369/ and her official registry as an artist here. Here’s her IMDb page – be sure to give her 10 Stars! https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3156214.
More about Lovecraft Country Episode 4 “A History of Violence”
After Christina mysteriously shows up at her doorstep, Leti confronts Atticus about his plan to surreptitiously return to Florida. Later, in search of missing pages to a crucial text, Leti, Tic, and Montrose head to Boston, with Hippolyta and Diana (Jada Harris) along for the ride. Back in Chicago, a handsome stranger nurses Ruby’s disappointment over a squandered job opportunity. Teleplay by Misha Green; Story by Wes Taylor; directed by Victoria Mahoney.
Official Site of Lovecraft Country on HBO: https://itsh.bo/lovecraft-country-series.
For more video clips of this exciting new series streaming on HBO, visit https://m.imdb.com/video/vi2642132505?playlistId=tt6905686&ref_=m_tt_ov_vi
BTS and Actor Photo Credit: Monique Candelaria
