Ayana O'Shun

Ever since Tetchena Bellange got her first principal role in the French-Canadian movie "The Boys III" (a box-office smash hit in Canada), she steadily has been building a career of impressive versatility. Gifted in drama and comedy, Tetchena has played in over 40 productions, including film, TV series, commercials and plays. She has also modelled for several national advertising campaigns.Tetchena starred in several productions including the third season of television series "Gentleman" (coming out in the fall of 2013 on the TVA network), where she plays Galia, an illegal African refugee looking for her family. She can also be seen opposite Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard in the movie "On the Road", directed by Oscar-nominated director Walter Salles. Bellange made her mark in 8 episodes of the popular French TV series "30 Vies" (SRC network), playing a young bipolar mother. Her credits include as well "The Day After Tomorrow" with Dennis Quaid, "Da Kink in My Hair" (CanWest-Global Television) in which she plays the nasty Claudette, "A Cargo for Africa" opposite Quebec star Pierre Lebeau, "Rumors" (SRC network) and "Naked Josh" (Oxygen Channel, Showtime). In addition, Tetchena captivated audiences in Ottawa (Canada) for her powerful onstage portrayal of Harriet Tubman, the famous 19th century Black abolitionist.Tetchena Bellange studied Cinema at the University of Montreal, where she got a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts. She has studied acting with prominent acting teacher Warren Robertson, who coached top actors such as Jessica Lange and Viggo Mortensen. Bellange's acting technics also include the teachings of Carter Thor Studios, Meisner, Ivana Chubbuck, Danielle Fichaud and Robert Favreau.Tetchena's passion lies with acting. However, it is also important to her to have a voice regarding issues close to her heart, by involving herself as a producer in projects that promote tolerance, brotherhood and equality. As a result, she has directed some documentaries and short films revolving around these themes. Bellange recently directed, produced and acted in the docu-fiction film "Black Hands - Trial of The Arsonist Slave", about a slave named Angelique who was accused of burning a part of Montreal in 1734. Tetchena played the lead role of Angelique. The film was successful with critics and audiences alike. It has been screened in more than 30 international film festivals, winning prestigious awards including the Dikola Award at the Panafrican Cannes Film Festival, and Best Foreign Film Award at the Yaounde International Film Festival. Radio-Canada television network broadcasted the film in 2012, to great reviews.Moreover, in 2010, Tetchena directed the short documentary "Doctors Without Residency" produced by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), which explores the mechanism that prevents several foreign-trained doctors from practicing medicine in Canada. This film was #1 on the NFB's website for several weeks.Tetchena's work as an actress and a storyteller has brought her media attention. Hundreds of articles and interviews have been released about her work, and she has been invited to some illustrious French-Canadian TV shows.In February 2013, Tetchena had the honor of being one of the Black History Month Laureates (in Quebec, Canada) for her outstanding achievements in the arts. Furthermore, in 2012 and 2013, she has been the spokesperson for the Panafrican Cannes Film Festival. She was the spokesperson for the 2012 Montreal International Vues d'Afrique Film Festival, as well.A true citizen of the world, Tetchena has travelled in over twenty countries and is fluent in four languages: French, English, Creole and Portuguese (because she just loves Brazil!). Due to her love of languages, she even dabbled in Japanese and Spanish. She became a vegetarian a few years ago after a yoga retreat in Florida. She practices ballet, Latin dances and sometimes trapeze. She is also interested in natural ways of maintaining a healthy body, like the Ayurveda system (the medicinal branch of yoga). Show less «