Born in 1968 in Argentina, Ricardo Mamood dreams to become an actor since he played in is first play at 5. After started acting and theatre studies since he was 15, Ricardo has finally the chance to get a part in Gen Y Cops. This movie give him the opportuny to be notice and since then we were able to see him in movie such as So Close or Summer Breeze of Love and soon in the new Jackie Chan's Movie : The Medallion.

1. How did you start in the movie business ?

I started acting since I was 5. Most of my training and experience was on stage. Film came later, only a few years ago. The turning point for me was in the year 2000 with Gen Y Cops since this was a major budget production and from then on I had the opportunity to work on very interesting projects as well as sizable TV commercial campaigns.


2. What do you think of the use of foreign actor in the Hong Kong cinema ?

Foreign actors are not used enough, or misused. For several reasons. The first one is the fact that stories, scripts do not contemplated a significant presence of foreign looking characters. There is still a very closed-up approach when it comes down to storytelling in Hong Kong. Their presence ranges from extras to small supporting roles. I wish the local industry would contemplate this a bit more and the fact that this town is very cosmopolitan, just take a look at it. So, you have a few talented and trained foreign actors in town but not many.

Then you have a lot of people that is scouted on the streets but with no training whatsoever and unfortunately then you see the final product on the screen and it sucks. It's a waste. This doesn't encourage talented or trained foreign actors to stay or come to work here but hopefully it will change in the future. When you look at this you need to separate martial artists with acting abilities and seriously trained dramatic actors. It's even more difficult for the latter ones to land juicy roles simply 'cause dramatic roles for foreign actors are non-existent, not yet. And these are type of actors that are trying to do something different in a town where everyone dreams about becoming Bruce Lee and then again most dramatic projects focus of course on very local stories.



3. You've worked with some of the best martial artist from Hong Kong. I'm thinking about people like Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen or Corey Yuen. What memories do you keep from these collaborations ?

Though traditional boxing is a martial art and I have done it for many years, I don't consider myself a martial artist. So, I can see my work from just an actor's standpoint. Working with Corey Yuen in "So Close" was a good experience. He is a kind and very professional individual. Too bad 70% of my work in that movie ended up in the editing room's floor, it happens, but it was a good experience. Working with Christopher Doyle was a lot fun too.
My scene with Mr. Chan in The Medallion was a great funny scene where I had the chance to do my own stunts. You will be probably be able to see it in the deleted scenes on the DVD. He is very focus and very professional on what he does, but I am not saying anything you don't know already. One of the most rewarding experiences for me was working with Taiwanese director Wayne Peng, doing the Samsung and Cup Noodle commercials. I learned a lot.


4. - In Hong Kong, by which personality have you been the most impressed ?

Christopher Doyle. He a very fine craftsman, a visual alchemist that does something in a very different fashion that any other in his field. Particularly in Hong Kong. Another one is Anthony Wong Chau-Sang. I think he is one of the most talented character actors in Hong Kong and he is hugely underrated and misused, it's a waste to see him in films that are too small for his range and he is an actor that can carry a film on his own.



5. In the Glengarry Glen Ross play, you're Richard Roma, this role was filled by Al Pacino in the film adaptation. Did you use his performence as a model to play your character ?

No, I didn't. You know ? some people actually went as far as making the mistake to making comparisons, mostly about performance and appearance, maybe on the fact that I do have a Italian (Sicilian) background, but believe me the last thing I would dare to do is to compare myself to a Giant like Mr. Pacino. So no, not at all. Don't get me wrong, I admire and worship Mr. Pacino. I grew up watching his movies, particularly some of his performances during the 70's such us Serpico, And Justice For all, Dog Day Afternoon and in a way he was an inspiration for me to want to become an actor and a dream come true would be to work in any project of his, but I don't think comparing or worse, imitating other actor's performance is a good thing for any actor. Why bothering to act at all if I am going to copy or emulate another actor's performance, no matter how good that was? I couldn't be proud of my work if I did.


6. What is the role you are the most proud of ?

Richard Roma. It was a very challenging character to play - in a brilliant and very complex play by David Mamet - but very rewarding from an actor's standpoint and a character that would grow larger the more I played it every night. A very human character, no good or bad, but human and one that took me sometime to shake off. I miss playing him at lot, I'd love to do it again.



7. What are your next projects ?

On film is always an unknown. Particularly in Hong Kong. I am though planning to produce another play on stage. Perhaps my very own which I am writing at the moment. It's a gulf War drama that I stopped writing sometime ago 'cause I thought it was not relevant any more, I could not have been more wrong.
So I went back to it and I'll finish soon. I am also writing a screenplay - a psychological thriller called "After" - with Anthony Wong in mind as the lead. We'll see.


8. At last, what would you want to say to our readers ?

First to thank them for their interest in Hong Kong cinema and as a consequence of that for creating an exposure forum or medium for local and foreign actors in this town to be known and to have a voice. I think what you are doing is great and very unique and I thank you for your interest and this interview. I wish Hk Mania lots of success.

Our warmest thanks go to Ricardo Mamood for answering our questions and to his manager Christian Wong.

- Click HERE to see his filmography.

---

---