Javier Bardem calls out Hollywood figures silent on Palestine: “Pro-genocide”
While appearing at the Cannes Film Festival, Javier Bardem has reaffirmed his commitment to speaking up for Palestine, calling out other Hollywood figures who remain silent on the issue.
Speaking at a press conference at the festival, the Oscar winner was asked whether he feared any consequences in his career for denouncing the war in Gaza, after consistently speaking out about the conflict.
Bardem began, as per Variety, “The fear does exist, granted, but one has to do things even if you feel a bit scared or afraid. You have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror, look at yourself in the eyes and that was my case.
He added, “My mother taught me to be the way I am. There is no plan B. This entails consequences, which I am fully ready to shoulder.”
The actor also outlined a shift in the industry that he is witnessing from the inside, suggesting that “everyone is beginning to realise that this is unacceptable” thanks to “the younger generation who is more aware of situations we’re experiencing quite directly on our phones and on other screens.”
He took the opportunity to stress clearly, “It cannot be justified. And there can be no reason, no explanation for this genocide.”
Bardem then focused on players inside his industry, musing, “Therefore, I think what is happening is quite the contrary. I believe that those who are drawing up the so-called blacklists will actually be exposed, and they will be the ones suffering the so-called consequences, at least on a public and social level. And this is a major change.”
Recently, actor Melissa Barrera spoke out about this level of industry blacklisting; Barrera was pushed out of her talent agency and fired from the cast of Scream 7 due to her vocal support for Palestine.
Bardem also insisted that the genocide being committed in Gaza is a “fact.” He offered instead, “You can fight against it, you can try to justify it, explain it. That is a fact. You can be against it, or you can justify it. If you justify it with your silence or with your support, you are pro-genocide. Those are facts, for me.”
Bardem appeared at the film festival on behalf of his new film, The Beloved, directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, which recently earned a seven-minute ovation at the premiere on May 16th.
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