REMEMBERING MICHAEL MADSEN, ONE OF US: “I Am Also an Immigrant – Serbia Welcomed Me, and My Heart Now Belongs Here”

Yesterday, American actor Michael Madsen (67) passed away. He will be remembered for his roles in many iconic films by Quentin Tarantino, Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott, Lawrence Kasdan, Robert Rodriguez… but also in a couple of Serbian films, “Serbian Scars” (2009) and “Along the Roadside.”

Vladimir Lisinac, a Serbian producer living and working in California, collaborated with Madsen on the film “Along the Roadside” and wanted to share his memories for Serbian Times.

“Michael Madsen was not just the first American actor I approached to star in my debut film ‘Along the Roadside’ — he was the spark that ignited everything. His ‘yes’ changed everything.

At that moment, I was a producer from Serbia, which in the language of American film business translated to – a nobody – with just a dream in my pocket and a script in my hand. His manager then gave me the green light, so I approached him directly. I knew Michael was a Chicago native and had deep respect for immigrant stories and cultural landscapes.

I told him: ‘Michael, this debut film of mine deals with the immigrant experience in America—the very story your heart beats for.’ He paused and said: ‘Send it to me to read.’ The next morning, to my great surprise, a text message arrived: ‘I want to be a part of it.'”

Connection to the Serbian Soul

“And then, during the shooting of the first scene, he approached me and said: ‘You know what, I’m from Chicago. There are many Serbs there, and I feel a kind of connection to the Serbian soul. That’s what I wanted to tell you, that I understand you. Let’s shoot now!’

He wasn’t attracted by the budget because it wasn’t much. He was attracted by the truth.

I appreciated his acting work before I even called him. A little shyly, I approached him those days on set and told him I liked the quiet tension of Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs, that raw poetry of his presence in the frame. He lit up.

‘Those are the words, man.’ And then we talked for a long time about raw creativity, especially about years of collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, the legendary films they made together.”

Chemistry with Laza Ristovski

“On set in the Californian desert, at 43 degrees Celsius, his chemistry with Lazar Ristovski was cinematic poetry. Both knew: this film had to be carried on their shoulders.

FILM CHEMISTRY: Michael Madsen and Laza Ristovski on the set of ‘Along the Roadside’

For the role of Jerry in my film, Michael won the Best Supporting Actor award at the IFS Film Festival in Beverly Hills. On stage, he almost cried. He paused and said: ‘I am also an immigrant—Serbia welcomed me, and my heart now belongs here.’

His trust in me, my brother Zoran as director, and our entire small film family — became the foundation of my career. His name opened doors. His modesty taught us. His friendship lifted us.

TRUST: Michael with director and screenwriter Zoran Lisinac

Belgrade Ćevapi and Woolen Socks

“In February 2013, I invited him to go to Belgrade together and present the film at the 41st FEST. He immediately replied: ‘Man, that’s been a long-time wish of mine. I have to see that country!’ And not only did he come — he also opened the festival by stepping onto the grand stage in Sava Centar. It was a moment when my dream met his.

We were guests on Ivan Ivanović’s show; he was spontaneous, witty, charming the audience, which he actually did his whole life. Afterwards, we ate ćevapi, roasted meat, poured and refilled from a seltzer bottle, shared wine and anecdotes. My mother gave him thick, old-fashioned woolen socks in the style of King Peter I.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA: Laza Ristovski, Michael Madsen, and Vladimir Lisinac

When Air France lost his luggage, he didn’t complain. Without a word, he put on my huge, basketball power forward’s shirt and said: ‘Perfect.’ A humble Hollywood star – until I met him, I didn’t know such a thing existed.

A few days after FEST, we were sitting by the Danube, eating some grilled food in the small hours, and he told me how much he would like to return to Serbia and explore it more. He spoke passionately about making a film that would combine American and Serbian stories. And then he quietly told me: ‘Ah, this is the film.’

And it was. Because of him, everything truly began.”