El ser querido, abandonment, and the lust for power
The Spanish actor - winner of the 2008 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for No Country for Old Men (2007) - speaks about the meaning of family, abandonment, the craving for success and power, and those mistakes that society has carried forward for centuries (and continues to carry forward) which lead men to transform into sexist, toxic beings, as well as infernal war machines capable only of discriminating and destroying.
Bardem addresses the issue during the press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, speaking about the character - a famous international director, Esteban Martinez, who neglected his daughter for years - portrayed in El ser querido (The Beloved) by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, competing this year and welcomed with long applause. The figure of the absent father, the escape from the people one loves; all in pursuit of triumph and glory: “I believe it stems from the roots of what is defined as toxic masculinity, namely from the upbringing, the poor education we have received for centuries, and of which I am also a part,” the Spanish actor states.
Bardem against murderous and warmongering machismo
“The number of women being murdered is unbelievable. And in a certain way we have normalized it, and that is terrible. Are we completely crazy? Are we killing women because some men think they own them? That they are their property?” Bardem explains, before turning his criticism toward Donald Trump’s administration, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“This problem also concerns Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin, and Mr. Netanyahu: to show who has the biggest balls they say, ‘I’ll bomb you until I wipe you out.’ It’s fucking toxic male behavior that is creating thousands of deaths.” Few words, but very clear, harsh, and direct, with the actor emphasizing the importance of this debate and of everyone being aware of it.
Young people and a reality manipulated by populism
Bardem then addresses the issue of the manipulation of information and reality, especially through social media channels, where the frantic and incessant consumption of simplistic, persuasive, and populist messages takes center stage. The impact on audiences - particularly younger generations, who tend to be more “manipulable” - deeply worries the actor.
“This is dangerous; it leads to radicalized thinking. In Spain we are suffering from it, just like other European countries and, obviously, the United States. At the moment, I do not believe there is such a thing as media democracy, because you are punished based on what you say and where you say it. So how can we solve this problem? I don’t know. From this point of view, by speaking openly about it, by expressing our opinion,” he explains.
Andrea Pelucchi