A Pound of Flesh from Merlisa Determined

Merlisa Determined hit the grounds running in 2014 with four films completed including the highly anticipated Pound of Flesh. Her fans wait anxiously to see Merlisa in the “Street Corner Film”. Merlisa portrays “Amaka Olisa” a mother who finds solace in the man that took the life of her only child.

The film is inspired by a true-life tragedy. Writer and director Don Okolo actually witnessed the real life event and wrote a story about it. When I received this script, says Merlisa, I was hooked, and couldn’t put it down until I finished reading. The lead character I portrayed in this story “Amaka Olisa” really pushed and forced me to open myself up as an artist and dig deep with this character. “Amaka Olisa” took me to places that I hadn’t yet explored as an actor.

Amaka Olisa has so many layers of emotion to her, each one different from the next emotion and wrapped up in this one character. This process took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. Living the life of the character was draining emotionally, but it was a direction necessary to breathe life into her, so the audience can share this experience. Watch the trailer here

This year, Merlisa has received multiple movie nominations. First the F.A.C.E award in Atlanta, Georgia for ‘False Engagement’ by Dr. Kelechi Eke, she received two nominations. Merlisa was nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ and the Film garnered ‘Best Drama, Film’ 2014.

The ‘2014 African NAFCA awards’ has awarded ‘Gem of the Rainforest’ with five nominations including ‘Best Diaspora Film’. NICKI a film produced by Hollywood actor Clifton Powell received two nominations for ‘Best Score’ and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ (Merlisa Determined). The awards will be conferred September 13th in Beverly Hills California.

At the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards come October, ‘Brides War’ which received the nomination for ‘Best Film in Diaspora’ will look to pick the Best Film in Diaspora Award. Merlisa Determined was also nominated for the ‘Best Actress and Most Promising Actress in Diaspora Film’.

This is all amazing, I never expected much to come from my work this early. I am doing what I love to do. I am in awe that people enjoy my work. I am thankful to God for his goodness and mercy over me.

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Twitter @MerlisaDworld
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