Hollywood actor Michael Madsen, who has played a lot of bad-guy roles over the years, has spoken of his joy at playing the good guy in the new Irish film Strength and Honour, which had its international premiere in Cork last night.
Madsen said it was a pleasure to film in Ireland and to star alongside actors such as Vinnie Jones, Patrick Bergin and Richard Chamberlain.
Shot in Cork over seven weeks last autumn, Strength and Honour was written, directed, and produced by Cork native Mark Mahon who flew in to his home town from Los Angeles yesterday.
The film tells the story of an Irish-American boxer, Seán Kelleher, played by Madsen, who accidentally kills his friend in the ring and promises his wife that he will never box again.
However, years later, when he discovers that his only son is dying of the same hereditary heart disorder which has taken the life of his wife, he is forced to break his promise to raise the substantial funds needed for surgery that could save his son's life.
Madsen said that he liked the idea of playing someone with heart.
"I rarely get screenplays where the lead character is not evil. I had voice coaches [ to master the Irish accent] but I think I learned more from people in pubs in Cork."
Madsen was joined at yesterday's press conference by footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones who had the challenge of learning an "Irish Traveller accent" for his role as Smasher O'Driscoll.
All the film's stars, Madsen, Jones, Bergin, Finbar Furey and Gail Fitzpatrick were at the premiere at the Cork Opera House last night, with proceeds going to the Marymount Hospice.
Strength and Honour recently won best picture at the Boston Film Festival, with Madsen picking up the best actor award.
Mahon said he was thrilled that the stars of the film had taken the time to attend the premiere in Cork.
Strength and Honour will be released here on November 30th, in the US on December 7th and in the UK in January.