Javier Bardem discusses acting, masculinity, and English roles in a revealing conversation with Diego Luna, offering insights into their personal journeys in cinema and the complexities faced when taking on challenging characters. Both actors, now renowned figures in the Spanish-speaking film world and TV, shared their perspectives on navigating the pressures and transformations demanded by their careers.
Two Decades of Growth: From “Before Night Falls” to International Stardom
Javier Bardem and Diego Luna’s professional relationship began more than 26 years ago on the set of Julian Schnabel’s “Before Night Falls.” Over time, each has carved out prominent places in the world of Spanish-language cinema and become household names in television. Bardem has taken on intense roles, including his recent portrayal of José Menendez in
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,”
a true-crime limited series. In this series, Bardem delves into the character of a demanding, and possibly abusive, father whose sons, played against a backdrop of desperation, ultimately kill both him and their mother, portrayed by Chloë Sevigny. The parents’ story unfolds in flashbacks, revealing the psychological depth the actors bring to the roles.
Meanwhile, Diego Luna has made his mark in the global spotlight with a compelling performance as a rebel and thief who gains a political conscience in the “Star Wars” universe, starring in the TV extension “Andor.” Luna’s rise to prominence is underscored by his ability to bring complexity to characters who challenge authority and navigate moral dilemmas, setting him apart as a force in modern storytelling.
The Allure and Realism of the “Star Wars” Universe
In their discussion, Bardem expressed admiration for Luna’s part in the legendary franchise, calling him a “Star Wars hero.” Luna responded with reflections on his childhood dreams and the tactile filmmaking approach that shaped his work on “Andor,” emphasizing the impact of interacting with physical props, real costumes, and puppeteers, rather than relying solely on digital effects. This experience, he explained, brought a sense of wonder and authenticity to the set, echoing the filmmaking traditions of earlier decades.
Luna pointed out,
“The idea of this show is that we tell the story of regular people. There are no Jedis. You’re in their kitchens and living rooms. You see how they nap. This is about the regular life of people in an extraordinary moment.”
The production employed strict visual rules: no shoelaces or buttons on costumes, jackets that simply close, and the inclusion of capes. This attention to detail helped create a unique, immersive atmosphere that strengthened the connection between actor and character, and between the actors and the world they inhabit.
The Struggles of Performing in English: Vulnerability and Identity
Both Bardem and Luna have faced the challenges of acting in languages that are not their mother tongue. Bardem fondly reminisced about their first English-language roles on “Before Night Falls,” revealing that he found himself less inhibited in English, enabling him to hide aspects of his true self while acting. In contrast, Luna admitted he is acutely aware of his linguistic limitations in English, making him more self-conscious than when working in Spanish.
Reflecting on their craft, Luna confessed,
“I couldn’t call [my dialogue] English,”
referencing the uncertainty and limitations he felt in early international roles. Bardem echoed these sentiments and discussed the balancing act of drawing upon instinct and authenticity when working outside one’s cultural and linguistic comfort zone.
Portraying Complex and Controversial Characters: Moral Boundaries on Screen
For Bardem, taking on the role of José Menendez in
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
was a deeply personal and unsettling challenge. The actor shared that he had little knowledge of the real-life events in Europe, learning of their prominence in the United States only through the production. Portraying a character with allegations of abuse raised critical ethical concerns for Bardem. He discussed these dilemmas with the series creator, Ryan Murphy, setting firm boundaries for certain scenes, particularly those that would depict abuse involving minors.
Bardem remarked that, unlike his comfort with portraying violence such as in “No Country for Old Men,” he felt a strict personal and professional line in stories involving abuse, ensuring the narrative would not exploit victims or cross into gratuitous territory. He observed that
“There are four people who know what happened [in real life]. Two of them are dead, and two of them are in prison. That’s interesting, because I play a character you’re supposed to think is capable of such an atrocity, but at the same time we don’t know if he really did it.”
Confronting Machismo and Reflecting on Masculinity
The experience of playing José Menendez forced Bardem to examine broader issues related to masculinity and cultural upbringing. He acknowledged that the character’s machismo was all too familiar, rooted in the environment from which he and Luna both came. Bardem noted,
“Playing José Menendez really put me in contact with what it meant to be a man educated with the wrong values towards women and themselves. I saw traces of my own education — being raised up in certain stereotypes of what it meant to be a man.”
He continued to describe his personal background, emphasizing the positive influence of his mother, who raised him more than his father did. Bardem credited her with providing a foundation rooted in activism, as
“She was always her voice and her face in front of everybody for women’s rights and for labor’s rights, and she was an advocate for many causes. And I saw that like, OK, that is correct.”
This upbringing served as a life-saving counterpoint to the narrow definitions of masculinity he encountered in both his personal life and through roles like José Menendez.
Mutual Inspiration and the Lasting Bond Between Two Actors
Throughout their exchange, Luna expressed appreciation for Bardem’s impact on his own career. Luna recalled discovering new possibilities in film and theater through Bardem’s performances, remembering,
“When I was 13, doing theater and TV in Mexico, it was through your work that I realized that cinema was an option for me.”
Their long friendship and shared history in the industry have created a space for open dialogue about the uncertainties and rewards of acting. The honest conversation between Bardem and Luna revealed not only their respect for each other but also their willingness to confront vulnerability, doubt, and the search for authenticity in difficult roles.
The Road Ahead: Evolving Narratives and Changing Ideals
As Bardem and Luna continue to advance in their careers, their dialogue serves as a mirror for the industry at large, highlighting evolving norms around masculinity, identity, and representation in international cinema and television. Their readiness to reflect on personal experiences while taking creative risks ensures that their influence will persist, shaping how future generations of actors approach similar struggles. The stories they tell, and the characters they choose to embody, remain intertwined with larger questions about culture, values, and the ongoing transformation of storytelling across borders.
