John Malkovich talks 'close' relationship with Julian Sands, actor's disappearance

John Malkovich is opening up about the disappearance of his co-star and friend Julian Sands.

During an appearance at the Berlin Film Festival on Monday, Malkovich was asked if he had “any words for Julian and for his family” following the actor's January disappearance. Malkovich and Sands co-star in the Robert Schwentke drama “Seneca - On the Creation of Earthquakes.”

“Julian and I were very, very close,” Malkovich said during the press conference. “I’m a godfather to his son from his first wife Sarah, who I know very well, and I introduced him to his second wife.”

He added: “We were close forever, ever since we met in 1983 on the set of ‘The Killing Fields.’ It’s a very sad event.”

Sands, 65, was reported missing Jan. 13 while hiking a trail on Mt. Baldy in Southern California, Gloria Huerta, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, said at the time. Authorities’ search efforts, both on the ground and by air, have been paused and resumed based on a series of storms that has created dangerous mountain conditions in the area.

Earlier this month, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department gave an update on its search for the British actor.

“We remain hopeful but know the outcome may not be what we would like,” a sheriff's department spokesperson told Deadline and People magazine. “Conditions on Mt. Baldy remain a danger and our aviation division still patrols the area when they are available. We also plan to search the area by ground in the future.”

Sands’ family has expressed gratitude to authorities for their "heroic" search efforts.

"Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian," the actor's family said in a statement in late January. "We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support.”

Another Southern California resident, 75-year-old Jin Chung, was reported missing in the Mt. Baldy area in the wake of Sands’ disappearance. Chung had carpooled to the area with a group and failed to return to their meeting spot at their agreed time. He was later located and hospitalized for injuries, having suffered "some weather-related injuries and a leg injury."

Sands starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter in "A Room With a View," the 1985 British romance from director James Ivory. He also had major roles in in 1989's "Warlock," 1990's "Arachnophobia," 1991's "Naked Lunch," 1993's "Boxing Helena" and 1995's "Leaving Las Vegas."

Julian Sands' family thanks 'heroic' rescue teams amid ongoing search for missing actor

Julian Sands: 'A Room With a View' actor goes missing after mountain hike in Southern California

Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Malkovich talks Julian Sands disappearance, calls it 'sad event'