I would love to come back, but next time I have to see the country and go on a horse - Mads Mikkelsen on Kazakhstan
At a Comic Con Astana 2024 press conference Mads Mikkelsen, known for Hannibal and Doctor Strange, expressed his eagerness to return to Kazakhstan. Admiring the country's growing film industry, he suggested a potential project about Attila the Hun. Mikkelsen also noted his wish to experience the Nomad Games. Kazinform News Agency correspondent learned more about the actor's experiences in Kazakhstan, reporting live from the event.
Have you had the chance to learn about Kazakh cinematography? What are your thoughts on it?
I just met Aisultan [Aisultan Seitov, film director and producer from Kazakhstan], who is obviously a very nice guy. I saw the trailer for his new film. I believe it's called Raw in English. It's a beautiful trailer. And on stage [during the Q&A session earlier that day], he seems like a very talented man. It's just wonderful that Kazakh film is placing itself on the map. Denmark did it 25 years ago, so there's no reason why you cannot do it.
If you had an opportunity to direct a film about Kazakhstan, what would it be?
Yeah, we talked a lot about where Attila came from. I know there's a little fight, whether he came from here or from Mongolia. But if you make a film about him now in Kazakhstan, then he's definitely Kazakh, right? So maybe we should find that story and bring it to life.
Mikkelsen also said that he would love to come back to Kazakhstan, especially for the upcoming Nomad Games.
“But I don't just want to watch it; I want to be part of it,” he continued.
“It was funny when I came up from the airport; there was a big poster of a man on a horse, a bow, and a bird. And in my very first American film, I played a man on a horse with a bird and a bow. So I've done that for half a year, and it was just really amazing to see that film when I came up. I would love to come back, but next time I have to see the country and go on a horse,” Mikkelsen explained.
He also shared his experience getting to know Kazakh culture: “a lot of meat, a lot of horses. I love meat, so it's an absolute joy. I don't think I can pronounce any of the dishes, because they were all very delicious.”
Mikkelsen continued, highlighting Kazakh hospitality: “I've met the people, obviously, and there is something very interesting. I kind of compared them to people from Iceland. They have such pride in who they are as people. When you are proud of yourself, you tend to be very hospitable. Kazakh people seem very hospitable. They are hospitable and welcoming. That happens when people are proud of themselves and their culture, and that seems to be the case.”
The Danish star of the Hannibal series, Doctor Strange movie, and other countless projects attended Comic Con Astana 2024 as the headliner of the event on July 27–28.
