Nasa Pilipinas ngayon ang Hollywood actor na si Michael Madsen para sa promotion ng pinagbibidahan niyang pelikulang Outrage na directed by Pinoy Hollywood director Ace Cruz na producer at cast member din ng pelikula.
Nakatakdang dumalo sina Michael at Ace sa premiere ng Outrage ngayong gabi, August 14, sa SM Megamall Cinema 1.
FELL IN LOVE WITH THE PHILIPPINES. Nagkaroon ng pagkakataon ang PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na ma-interview si Michael sa presscon ng Outrage na inihanda ng sponsors na Gourmet's Philippine Premium Coffee, Refreshers at Harry's Bar. Ginanap ang presscon kahapon, August 13, sa Harry's Bar sa Venice Piazza McKinley Hill.
Dumating si Michael via Philippine Airlines kahapon ng madaling araw. May interesting anecdote siya noong papunta pa lang siya dito.
"While at the Los Angeles Airport on my way here, a group of 20 people who introduced themselves as Filipinos approached me and asked to have their photo taken with me and they were all excited. They said they have heard and read all about my coming here, thanks to Ace I suppose, and they all looked excited. That was such a thrill. It felt good that the Filipinos know of my visit, and you actually expect me in your country. Thank you," kuwento ni Michael.
Ayon kay Michael, malapit sa puso niya ang Pilipinas dahil nakagawa na siya ng pelikula rito, ang Road Raiders, na idinirek ng yumaong Pinoy director na si Cirio H. Santiago may dalawang taon na ang nakararaan.
"I fell in love with your country when I worked with Cirio. It's too bad Cirio's not here anymore. But we have this young man [Ace] right here. Perhaps he will inherit the legend. Somebody has to, right? Hopefully, I can see Cirio's urn," sabi ni Michael.
Bukod sa ganda ng Pilipinas, nagustuhan din daw ni Michael ang kabaitan ng mga Pinoy.
"I love the people. Everybody's very, very kind. It's really amazing. I think you are more spiritual people."
Na-in love din daw si Michael sa local hard drink nating lambanog noong mag-shooting siya rito ng Road Raiders.
Kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, isa raw sa mga lugar na gustong niyang mapuntahan ay ang Boracay.
"Ace told me how beautiful the place is. I just hope I still have time to go there. I'm pretty sure I will enjoy the place."
Sana nga raw ay makasama niya ang pamilya niya kapag nakabalik ulit siya sa bansa.
"It's funny because when I travel around I always miss my five boys. I miss them so much and I wish that they can see the things that I'm seeing. And if I'll have a good job I would love to bring them here. I'd love to buy a house here and give it to them some day."
WORKING WITH ACE. How is it working with a Filipino like Ace Cruz?
"It's great working with Ace. He's really smart. He's a genius. It's very good."
Isa pa raw sa ikinatutuwa ni Michael kay Ace ay ang pagiging mabuti nitong kaibigan. Hindi raw kasi tulad ng iba niyang nakatrabaho sa Hollywood na wala nang pakialam kapag natapos na ang shooting. Tinatanaw din niyang malaking utang na loob kay Ace ang pagbabalik niya sa Pilipinas.
"You know, sometimes you make movies with people and then you realize you will not see them again. They can care less if you dropped dead. But you know Ace always stayed in touch with me. He's been trying very hard to get his movies out there. And as an actor I appreciate that he never forgot about me even though I've been busy doing other things.
"You know, there were times he asked me to do things but I couldn't do them and I wasn't available always. I was just kind of happy that I ended up being available and I was able to come here with him. Coming over here makes me think how lucky I am to be in this industry in the first place. That our film kinda have its afterlife and it got here in the Philippines," paliwanag ni Michael.
WILLING TO DO A LOCAL MOVIE. Nakilala si Michael sa madalas niyang pagganap bilang kontrabida sa mga pelikula. Kabilang sa mga Hollywood movies na nagawa niya ay ang Kill Bill, Free Willy, Species, Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco, Sin City at marami pang iba.
Kung magkakaroon daw siya ng offer mula sa ating mga producers willing daw siyang gumawa ng pelikula dito.
"If that happens that would be very nice. I would like to find something to do here or come back or stay here and work on something. That would be great. Let me know if you know somebody. Hopefully, I can find work here."
Kung gagawa raw siya ng pelikula dito sa bansa ang gusto niyang maging leading lady ay ang French actress na si Juliette Binoche o di kaya'y si Cameron Diaz. Maaari rin daw niyang maka-partner ang local actress na gustong idirek ni Ace, si Judy Ann Santos.
Umaasa naman si Michael na magugustuhan ng mga Pilipino ang pelikula nilang Outrage.
"I'd like people to come and watch the film. I hope it does very well. I think it's the beginning for Ace. And I'd like to do another one with him again."
Ang Outrage ay isang sci-fi thriller na may spiritual message tungkol sa "law of attraction," isang paniniwala na ang sinasabi'y lalapit o mangyayari sa iyo ang mga bagay na iniisip mo. Nanalo ito ng Best SciFi Picture Award sa Action on Film (AOF) International Festival na ginanap sa Pasadena, California noong 2009. Napili rin ang pelikulang ito na maipalabas sa most recent Cannes Film Festival Awards kung saan nakatanggap ito ng mga papuri mula sa mga manonood.
Bukod kina Michael at Ace, kasama rin sa Outrage sina Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes), Natasha Lyonne (American Pie), Katie Fountain, Derek Lee Nixon (The Jerk Theory), at Ken Lesco (Star Trek).