Sofea’s Choice
Sofea has lost none of her beauty and allure.
SHARIFAH ARFAH catches up with the still-ravishing Sofea Jane to find out more about her and her latest movie.
Sofea plays Mona, a famous singer who resorts to using ’susuk’ to preserve her beauty.
SHE made her name as an actress in the ’90s with a spate of movies that got people talking - primarily as Zaleha, the woman who served “nasi kangkang” to her husband in Perempuan, Isteri dan… (1993).
Among the other films Sofea Jane has acted in are Kekasih Awal dan Akhir (1993), Cinta Kita (1995) and Sayang Salmah (1995) plus countless dramas and telemovies.
After her marriage to Meor Azman in 1995, she appeared less on the silver screen.
But Sofea is remembered both for her natural beauty and her magnetic on-screen persona.
Met recently, the 36-year-old actress has obviously lost none of her beauty and allure.
She’s now a health-food freak and goes jogging regularly.
“I’m quite a vain person,” she quipped.
Sofea will be seen in Susuk, a supernatural thriller produced by Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd, to be released tomorrow.
In it she plays Mona, a popular singer who, like other main characters in the film (played by Ida Nerina and Diana Rafar), resorts to “susuk” (a traditional Malay art of beauty and regeneration) to remain youthful and popular.
Sofea recalled that the last time she played the part of a supporting actress was as Tun Teja in Puteri Gunung Ledang the movie.
“Not many people realise that being a supporting cast is actually very challenging, especially when one has only a few scenes in it,” she said.
“I was also pregnant with my third child while filming Puteri Gunung Ledang.”
In Susuk, Sofea appears in just five scenes. “I don’t talk much either! The challenge for me is to portray Mona fully in such a limited time.
“Mona is not a two-dimensional character. She’s a victim who has illusory views of herself and how others view her. In a way, she is quite pathetic because she thinks so highly of herself,” she said.
Sofea’s acting career may have taken a back seat after her marriage to her businessman husband but she is a contented mum. She has three daughters - Arissa, 12, Khadija, 10, and Soraya, 5.
“I do realise I have an obligation to fans who appreciate my work, but at this juncture of my life, I am ill-suited for some of the roles that come my way.
“Besides, there are many young and talented actresses who can fulfil these roles. Nowadays, if I ever decide to go into acting, I will first look at the script,” she said.
Another factor that she takes into consideration is the opportunity to work with old friends.
One of her recent and more memorable projects involves the shooting of a telemovie, Sebuah Ijtihad, produced by her old friend, actress Sheila Rusly.
“It’s great to work in such a close-knit group and feel a sense of belonging,” she said.
In Sebuah Ijtihad, Sofea played a female prisoner. Aired over TV3 during Aidilfitri last year, it won her the Best Actress award at the Anugerah Skrin 2007.
Ironically, it was the only award ever won by Sofea throughout her acting career.
Sofea plans to set up a production company with her husband.
“It’s more viable because one will have a say from beginning to end,” she said.
“We plan to set it up hopefully by next year,” she said, adding that comedy is one genre being considered.
Describing the local movie scene as going through “an interesting development”, Sofea observes that there are many horror films being produced of late.
“After Jangan Pandang Belakang, Anak and Congkak, it would be interesting to see how Susuk fares,” she said.
New Straits Times