Showing posts with label Martin Sheen interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martin Sheen interview. Show all posts
USA has spiritual poverty and that’s a bigger deal-Martin Sheen
8:53 AM
Hollywood star Martin Sheen combines acting with his social activism
Shubha Shetty Saha (MID-DAY; November 30, 2014)
In the film Bhopal: Prayer For Rain based on the Bhopal gas tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives on December 2 and 3 in 1984, Martin Sheen plays the much-hated Warren Anderson, the callous CEO of Union Carbide. Sheen chats with us about the challenges of playing such a character, his political stance, his impression of changed India and more. Excerpts from an interview with the revered actor, whose movie releases on December 5:
Were you required to do a lot of homework for this role?
Actually, I was aware of this tragedy even before the film came to me. The script is so powerful, honest and accurate that I was compelled to take it up. It is a very honest portrayal of the tragedy. I remember very well when this happened and had read about Warren Anderson’s trial about 29 years ago. I am glad that a movie has been made on the tragedy as it will educate youngsters.
You have been a social activist for the most part of your life. Was it a challenge to play Warren Anderson who, seemingly, wasn’t concerned about the lives of the people working in the company?
It is a classic case of how sometimes the lives of people in developing countries are looked at. The portrayal of Anderson is just apt; here’s a company CEO from the Western world, who has little regard for their lives and his despicable attitude towards the employees working in the company. He was not an easily detectable villain. He was this charming man who projected a good personality. But the fact is that he remained callous and didn’t acknowledge or take responsibility for the lives that were lost in the tragedy. He hid behind a shield. This film portrays him just as he was. Unfortunately, he was the kind of man who was not honest enough to even express regret or sorrow. But as we say this, one must remember that those workers didn’t have the backing of a union and had no protection of any kind. This also reflects on the corruption at the government level. So the government at that time is also partly responsible for this massive tragedy.
You came to India to shoot for the film after almost three decades. What kind of changes do you see in the country, culturally and otherwise?
I had come to India in 1981 during the movie Gandhi’s shoot. I had stayed here for six weeks and my stay had a powerful effect on me. I was, at that time, deeply moved by the people’s poverty. And then for this film, we shot in Hyderabad five years ago. I see a much different India today. I see a far more vibrant, progressive India which truly reflects what India is today. I was totally impressed, except for the traffic (laughs). Crossing the streets here is still scary. I am really fond of Indian culture as it is deeply humane and there is deep regard for community and family. The biggest treasure that you people have is the bond you share with your loved ones as well as others. Yes, poverty still exists, but as Mother Teresa once said, “Spiritual poverty is the worst.” The United States has spiritual poverty and I think that’s a bigger deal.
In spite of being politically active, you have never stood for elections. You once said, ‘Don’t mistake a celebrity for credibility’. Is your stand still the same?
Yes it is. I don’t think a celebrity gets automatically qualified to do public service. I don’t really have political ambitions. I support Democrats and smaller groups that work at the grassroots level. These are the people who effectively bring about changes, and I feel motivated to work with them.
You have a family full of actors. Who’s your favourite one?
(Laughs) I am never going to answer that.
You have directed only one film. Any plans to direct more?
Not really. I directed Cadence along with Charlie (Sheen, his son). I prefer acting. I am simply an actor and hope to get opportunities to continue doing that.
I am very comfortable in Indian culture-Martin Sheen
7:43 AM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; November 28, 2014)
Martin Sheen who has worked with practically every
filmmaker in Hollywood worth working with, chats about his life, cinema,
career and his new role as the late Warren Anderson in Ravi Kumar’s
Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain.
Amazingly enough, you’ve never won an Oscar?
(Laughs) I’m not amazed.
Why? Aren’t you aware of your talent?
It’s a gift from God. It’s nothing I can brag about. I’m happy that I’ve been able to make a living doing what I love most in the world. I’ve travelled to many enchanting places, including India. I’ve led an amazing life. I don’t think I can be any happier even if I received an Oscar.
So you don’t covet an Oscar in spite of your body of work?
It wouldn’t make me sad if I received it. But I don’t look forward to it. You do it (the acting) for yourself. I do what I do because I cannot NOT do it and be myself.
Which director did you enjoy working with the most?
All my directors have a place in my heart. Terence Mallick is an old and dear friend. I also enjoyed working with Mike Nichols and Francis Coppola. But if you’re asking me which of these directors I’d like to work with again, I’d say Martin Scorsese without hesitation.
In Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain, you’ve portrayed Warren Anderson as an out-and-out villain?
We didn’t want to do a hatchet job on him, if you’ll pardon the expression. We didn’t want to make him an easy target. Anderson was still very much alive when we did the film. We tried to contact him and his family to show him our script. But he never made a single move towards us.
We’ll see you in an Indian film soon?
I’d love to be in one. I love your country. I was in India in 1981 for a role in Gandhi for about six weeks with my son Emilio. But I was only in Delhi and Porbandar. I did visit Agra for the Taj Mahal. I also did the voiceover for a documentary on Kerala. But I couldn’t see Kerala. The closest I got it was Hyderabad where we shot for Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain.
And what do you think of India?
Your country people and culture had a profound effect on me in a deeply personal way. I am very comfortable in your culture. India is a nation of families. In your country people are not committed to be on their own.
Tell me about your new acting assignment?
I just finished a television series entitled Grace & Frankie. It’s a sitcom. I am pleased to have worked with Jane Fonda on this series. She is one of my heroes.
I regret changing my name from Ramon Estévez-Martin Sheen
7:47 AM
Martin Sheen talks about his Hispanic roots, sons Charlie and Emilio, and playing Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson
Smriti Kiran (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 29, 2014)
I don't think you have done a single interview post-1979 where you haven't been asked about Apocalypse Now...
(Laughs) It sounds very familiar. It was a big career start and I am happy that I did it. But if you said again, “You can have this part but this is going to happen“, I'd say “Pass, no thanks, all the best.“
An unforgettable memory of the shoot...
The company of the players, I just adored them. I got close to Marlon (Brando), one of my heroes, one of the great actors, if not the greatest actor, of all time.
Everybody in your family is in show biz. What is dinner like in your household?
It's a bit lonely now because we don't have them living at home. We have grandchildren and one great grandchild, so it's a large extended family. It's hard to get everyone together at the same time, but we do, particularly on holidays and birthdays. It's gratifying for me as a father and an actor to work with them. I did The Way with my older son Emilio (Estevez) a few years about the Spanish pilgrimage, Santiago de Compostela, which he wrote for me. That's the best thing I've ever done.
When you shifted to New York to become an actor, you changed your name from Ramon Estévez to Martin Sheen to avoid ethnic typecasting. If you were debuting today, would you still do that?
Not today, no. I still deeply regret that I did. But I never changed my name officially; I just started using a screen name. It was difficult getting employment as Ramon Estévez, and not just in show business. Although I didn't look like the typical Hispanic or Latino, the name tagged me. When Emilio became interested in being an actor he said: “I am going to change my name.“ And I begged him to not make the same mistake I did. Charlie has changed his name officially though. It's a matter of choice. I still love my original name; it's there on my passport and marriage certificate. I'll always be Ramon.
What challenge did a film like Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain offer?
Well, I only feature in the Hyderabad segment, I wasn't in London, Mumbai or Bhopal. So, I had a very limited par ticipation but it was an important one because I play Warren Anderson, the American CEO of Union Carbide at the time. I think he's still living but hasn't uttered a single public statement about the tragedy, his involvement in it, accepted any responsibility or even apologised. We were however not interested in making him a villain. We gave him every opportunity to give us some inputs but he never surfaced. He hasn't been heard of since he fled India shortly after the tragedy in 1984. So we couldn't be too factual about his character but we had enough information to present an honest portrayal.
What excites you now?
Everything--my life, family, career, waking up and knowing I made it into another day. I embrace old age. I'm the luckiest man I know.
(Laughs) It sounds very familiar. It was a big career start and I am happy that I did it. But if you said again, “You can have this part but this is going to happen“, I'd say “Pass, no thanks, all the best.“
An unforgettable memory of the shoot...
The company of the players, I just adored them. I got close to Marlon (Brando), one of my heroes, one of the great actors, if not the greatest actor, of all time.
Everybody in your family is in show biz. What is dinner like in your household?
It's a bit lonely now because we don't have them living at home. We have grandchildren and one great grandchild, so it's a large extended family. It's hard to get everyone together at the same time, but we do, particularly on holidays and birthdays. It's gratifying for me as a father and an actor to work with them. I did The Way with my older son Emilio (Estevez) a few years about the Spanish pilgrimage, Santiago de Compostela, which he wrote for me. That's the best thing I've ever done.
When you shifted to New York to become an actor, you changed your name from Ramon Estévez to Martin Sheen to avoid ethnic typecasting. If you were debuting today, would you still do that?
Not today, no. I still deeply regret that I did. But I never changed my name officially; I just started using a screen name. It was difficult getting employment as Ramon Estévez, and not just in show business. Although I didn't look like the typical Hispanic or Latino, the name tagged me. When Emilio became interested in being an actor he said: “I am going to change my name.“ And I begged him to not make the same mistake I did. Charlie has changed his name officially though. It's a matter of choice. I still love my original name; it's there on my passport and marriage certificate. I'll always be Ramon.
What challenge did a film like Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain offer?
Well, I only feature in the Hyderabad segment, I wasn't in London, Mumbai or Bhopal. So, I had a very limited par ticipation but it was an important one because I play Warren Anderson, the American CEO of Union Carbide at the time. I think he's still living but hasn't uttered a single public statement about the tragedy, his involvement in it, accepted any responsibility or even apologised. We were however not interested in making him a villain. We gave him every opportunity to give us some inputs but he never surfaced. He hasn't been heard of since he fled India shortly after the tragedy in 1984. So we couldn't be too factual about his character but we had enough information to present an honest portrayal.
What excites you now?
Everything--my life, family, career, waking up and knowing I made it into another day. I embrace old age. I'm the luckiest man I know.
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