As part of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary, Javier Bardem was shown this Friday in Cannes’ Bunuel Room (France). The Spanish actor was casually dressed in casual clothes and displayed a relaxed attitude. He also gave free rein to his trademark humor and addressed a variety of topics, including his marriage to Penelope Cruz and his experiences with Johnny Depp, in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
When asked to recall his early career days, the four-time Oscar nominee for Best Actor and winner for No Country for Old Men for Anton Chigurh pointed out that he had made his debut in a time when celluloid was still the norm. He was twenty years old, and his life and the way he made movies were different. Movies were an event. They would be shown in a cinema, and it could last for a year if everything went well. He lamented that nowadays a film can only last for a month and a quarter or two months.
Bardem explained that we now live in a different age of speed and lack of attention. We have so many things to focus on it’s difficult to choose one. He continued, “But when it started,” adding that “it was different.” The role would be to play and then you would go on to make the movie. It was sacred, and then it would open up, creating a climate.
“Now, we are moving very fast and I feel sorry to those who are just starting. “I don’t know how to make movies today as an actor or director, producer, writer or producer, because the pace of things is so different than where I started,” she said with apparent longing.
Surprisingly, Villeneuve was open to answering questions about the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s film ‘Dune’. The new draft was interesting. They have done an incredible job of putting together the pieces in a way that will amaze people. He acknowledged that he was moved by my feelings. It is a film that is rich, you can feel it’s weight, but at the same you can still enjoy its stunning nature. I cannot wait to return to the desert with these people. I’m also very happy to be back together with Denis, who he said was one of the greatest directors of all time.
Bardem said that he was “a piece of meat” when he started his career in the ‘castings, and that his first roles were associated to his strong physique. He asks, “What is masculinity?” I cannot define masculinity, but I believe that it is the half that has half of the woman. A strong man is one that can express emotion and be sensitive. This is something I learned from my upbringing in a patriarchal society. He noted that we still learn from our mistakes as men, both conscious and subconscious.”
Bardem, who was raised in a family of actors and has the responsibility of being a famous actor, said that “you’re not less or more than anyone.” My mother taught me this. All of us have to work hard for what we get. Some people get it, while others don’t. I represent only myself. Spanish is my proud language. Everything started for me in Spain. My language, culture, and all the actors that I have admired over the years. He insisted that it was a proud thing to take on such responsibilities.
Javier Bardem said that his film career was similar to Penelope Cruz’s. He fell in love with Penelope in ‘Jamon Jamon.’ Javier Bardem also recalled that they had to share a scene where “we had to kiss each other in bed”. The scene lasted for almost an hour and then the entire team fled. Woody Allen also sent the footage to us as a wedding gift,” he laughed.
The Oscar-winning interpreter offered advice to the younger generations on staying healthy. You must be healthy. To interpret a mental illness, you must first see a psychiatrist. If you don’t, you’ll be so attached to your character that it will make it difficult to see other things. He stated convinced that he doesn’t believe God is what he believes in as an actor.
Bardem stated that he has no plans to direct and said that he does not intend to go behind the scenes. Bardem said that he would be willing to direct if there was only one camera and two actors. But the pressure of creating and preparing makes it very difficult. I like to delve into acting. Your dream is to completely erase your personality. It’s not possible, I haven’t seen it happen to me. But, it is my goal. I enjoy drawing, but I only like painting faces and bodies. Landscapes are not my thing. He admitted that he is addicted to watching people walk down the street. I found the only positive thing about the pandemic was that I could hide from them so they wouldn’t recognize me, and I could observe.
