Miguel Ángel Muñoz (‘Pekín Express’): “Part of the tests that I have wanted to do will look like eating a duck embryo”

He was so calm in ‘La Moderna’ and he leaves everything to go on an adventure.

Well, don’t worry… I was in ‘La Moderna’, yes, and with two film projects, when they offered me this. And since I really liked the format and the experience, I didn’t want to miss it. I didn’t know Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia, and since I like to travel… My friends from Boomerang and ‘La Moderna’ talk to the team and they let me do this and then rejoin. By the way, we are very happy, because with ‘La Moderna’ we are nominated for the International Emmy. Let’s see what happens in November.

It is not the first program he has presented, but he is doing well.

I had been in charge of some, yes, but never a format as impressive as this one, where more than 180 production people race every day across 2,500 kilometers, traveling through three countries with a very different culture and with some contestants to those who have had everything happen to them. In the good sense of the word, of course, because although they have suffered a lot, everything has been used to entertain the viewer. It’s a fast-paced 50 minutes of program where the best has been chosen.

The attraction of this new edition is that we see celebrities showing themselves as they are.

When one is embodying a character or developing an activity, even if it is public, that most intimate, private part is left behind. In a format like this you do know the person in depth, because the more you can get to know someone is in extreme situations or moments of tension and that is very rich for the viewer. Seeing how a mother relates to her son is very interesting, but if that mother is Miriam Díaz Aroca, it is much more so. Or brothers-in-law, such as Alba and Álex. Or two people who don’t know each other that much, as is the case of Gonzalo Miró and his friend Ángel, who is a librarian, with whom he has simply played soccer a few times.

The rest doesn’t change, right?

The essence of what the format is: the tests, what they have to do, how they suffer it and how they live it, is exactly the same as what the anonymous people experienced. They leave the character forgotten, in another backpack, because it is impossible to be in a country that you don’t know, where you don’t understand the language, trying to look good or maintaining it. And it has been wonderful to get to know you more. They have all surprised me, because the situations have been very extreme. I am very proud of all the couples.

In his role, he seems relaxed, although he wanted to do some tests.

I wanted to get fully involved so I could address the contestants with all the power, and if anyone complained, tell them: “Yes, it was really bad, but I also ate it.” Or: “It was hard, but I’ve done it too.” And there the conversation ends. It is true that my circumstances were totally different. But my involvement has been maximum. First because it amuses me. Second, to be able to speak from another place, and third, because the presenter’s involvement humanizes him more and brings him closer to the audience.

But was it necessary to eat that raw duck embryo?

I will regret many of them, because… what need do I have to go through that. And, furthermore, I asked for it, it was not there by script. But it has been very fun.

Will there be anything else, apart from how that disgusting thing is eaten?

Some of the tests that I have wanted to do will be seen, like the embryo, and others that I have done on my own will not.

He insisted that it was all very true, without tricks.

Before I say yes to the format, I wanted to know if this from start to finish is real. If no one has help and the extreme situations are endured. Although with a security team that looked after the contestants and ours. If they suffered, I empathized with them. But as race director, I made them suffer as much as I could, because I imagined myself as a spectator watching them enjoy all the trouble they got into, the tensions, the fighting. Although at no time did I force any situation to reach something extreme and much less cheat. I told them: “There are no traps here and if there are, they are doing them to me. When you think they are bothering you, because it is a coincidence that this happens, well yes, it is a coincidence.”

It really seems impossible that it is.

The thing is that sometimes the one you take 20 minutes to arrive before you. Because? Well, because you’ve gotten lost and you don’t see the damn flag. It’s not like someone took it from you. It’s because you’re under tension, because you haven’t eaten and you’re tired and all that can magnify. Now the contestants have seen it and are very convinced and very proud of what they have done. In difficult moments he would poke his finger at them, but he would tell them: “Remain calm, because no one is going to say later if you are good or bad. Everyone will understand that if you lose your temper it is because you haven’t eaten, you’re tired or you had to eat a rat.

One doesn’t understand how there are people who sign up for these things..

Getting out of your comfort zone is important in life. I love it, it’s something I provoke. And yes, there is a slightly masochistic part of reaching extreme situations and suffering. I admire and praise the people who do it and they will always be on my team. He who stays at home all his life has other things, of course. I’m not saying that what I do has to be the right thing, but it amuses me a lot.

Tell me about those two film projects.

On the one hand, the film directed by Miguel Ángel Lamata, ‘Los futbolísimos and the mystery of the pirate treasure”; Then, there is ‘La Moderna’, let’s see what happens, and I am directing a documentary that will be released next year, which has to do with an experience I had as a racing driver.

How different from ‘100 Days with LaTata’, so tender.

Indeed, it will be very different. But for the people who saw the Tata one, there will be a part that will interest them, because again, when I direct it, I tell an experience from a very personal point of view and I try to be as generous as possible.