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Omar Sharif and Michael Madsen Discuss Their Passion for Classic Films at a Conference in Cap Cana
 
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These two special guests, Omar Sharif and Michael Madsen, spoke at a conference in Cap Cana on the occasion of the III Dominican Global Film Festival. Both expressed great joy at being in the Dominican Republic for the first time and for the opportunity to support the country’s film industry. Omar Sharif surprised those in attendance at the auditorium when he answered questions in Spanish.   

Presidente(Santo Domingo, November 15, 2009) -  World famous Egyptian actor Omar Sharif and American actor Michael Madsen kicked off the activities of the III Dominican Global Film Festival in a press conference at the Caletón Beach Club where they spoke of their careers and their vision of the film industry.  

Also present at the press conference with the two actors was Dominican Archeologist Kathleen Martínez, who has been carrying out explorations on Cleopatra and Mark Anthony’s tomb in Egypt since 2005; Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and Gabriella Bonetti, Dominican Ambassador in Egypt. 

The group was hosted by Omar de la Cruz, Technical Director of the Production and Promotion of the Film Festival and Yamile Eusebio, the Festival’s Director of Planning, Development and Marketing. Ellis Pérez, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations of Cap Cana moderated.

Eusebio and De La Cruz welcomed the distinguished guests and reiterated the commitment of the Festival to provide the Dominican people with quality films that will stimulate thought and analysis about their reality and surroundings while at the same time contributing to the development of a film industry in the DR.

Sharif:  “Films that make money are the ones that young people like.”

Sharif was the first to respond to reporters’ questions and he did so in Spanish, much to everyone’s surprise. He said he learned Spanish as a result of his mother’s influence.

He revealed his passion for film classics although he admitted that the film industry makes movies with young people in mind, “films that make money are the ones that young people like.”

He pointed out that American-made films are the most widely screened in the Western world despite the fact that India is also producing large numbers of movies

PresidenteSharif explained that Indian films tend to focus on issues that reflect the country’s culture and, since the country has such a large population, there is little need to sell the movies outside the country in order to finance them.

There was a time, he said, when Egypt produced up to 200 films but that they never really enjoyed much box office success, unlike American movies that show abroad, and therefore the Egyptian film industry didn’t prosper.   

Actors are much better at their craft now than they were when he gained world fame, Sharif admitted. Back then, he said, it was enough to be good looking and to engage in overacting. Now, on the contrary, artists act much more naturally and do not necessarily have to be beautiful or good looking to be successful.  

Madsen Would Like to Make a Movie about Baseball in the DR

Madsen began his speech at the conference by greeting Omar Sharif and expressing his admiration for the actor. He confessed that he has a poster from “Lawrence of Arabia” hanging on the wall in his home. The 1962 epic film consolidated Sharif’s career as an actor. 

Madsen said he was delighted to be in the Dominican Republic at the same time as Sharif and that he shared his passion for classic films.

He said he was happy that, as Sharif pointed out, the film industry doesn’t only look for pretty faces, and that this has been a good thing for Madsen as he doesn’t fit into that category. According to him, he is among the normal people who are not gorgeous but who take their acting profession seriously.

He added that he’d like to work in other areas of film production beyond acting, such as casting, set and scene design and the other areas of logistics involved in movie making.

When Madsen was asked about his presence in the DR and the possibility of making a film here, he said he’d already presented a movie script on baseball that he’d like to make in the Dominican Republic. 

Known for his roles in Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs and Sin City among many others, Madsen will join the list of top stars who will be in the DR for the Festival that runs from November 18 to the 22nd.

Joining Madsen on this trip is Suzanne Ghersi, an executive from Admit One Productions and director John Mark Sjogren. Ms. Ghersi, is the executive producer of Apnea, a film that will be shot in the Dominican Republic under the direction of her husband Michele Ghersi.

Dominican producers Elías Acosta and Samuel Toribio are also part of the group of US producers on hand for the Film Festival.  

 

III Dominican Republic Global Film Festival - 2009