Benicio Del Toro Talks About the U.S. Election: ‘Politics is a Dirty Game’

As a movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating worlds of Benicio del Toro’s cinematic masterpieces like “Traffic” and “Sicario,” I find his recent statements at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon, France, both enlightening and heartening. His perspective on the complex issue of immigration, rooted in a deep understanding of human nature and the struggles faced by people seeking a better life, resonates profoundly with me.

As the U.S. presidential election approaches within a few weeks, Benicio del Toro has voiced his concerns about how controversial topics such as immigration are exploited by candidates to garner votes during the election campaign.

The actor who won an Oscar for his roles in “Traffic” and “Sicario” is the special guest at the 16th edition of the Lumière Film Festival being held in Lyon, France. During this festival, he will also be conducting a masterclass.

Del Toro is one of several notable figures scheduled to attend the festival, which is being orchestrated by Thierry Frémaux, head of Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, other well-known names like Xavier Dolan, Isabelle Huppert, Tim Burton, and Monica Bellucci are expected to be present in Lyon.

It’s unfair to lump everyone together and label them as ‘bad.’ Many individuals seeking entry into America are merely attempting to enhance their lives due to difficulties in their home regions. They’re striving for a better life, but it’s also important that borders are recognized and respected.

Politics can be quite unscrupulous; we’re in a challenging period currently, with many individuals experiencing hardship due to it. It needs to be controlled. An election is approaching, and we’ll have to wait and observe the outcome. I have faith in the new generation.

Del Toro was questioned about the use of immigration as a political weapon following a conversation about his films focused on drug trafficking and cartels. While he didn’t specifically mention any candidates, he made it clear that he disagrees with dehumanizing anyone based on skin color, religion, origin, or any other factor.

The actor has a busy schedule ahead, with several upcoming projects. One of these is “The Phoenician Scheme” by Paul Thomas Anderson, which is now in the post-production phase. Additionally, he will appear in Anderson’s next film, titled “The Battle of Baktan Cross,” where he will share screen time with Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn.

When asked about the growing influence of streaming platforms and potential homogenization of content, del Toro expressed enthusiasm: “I’m one who embraces change, so ‘Bring it on, bring it on!’ I believe there are now more chances for individuals passionate about filmmaking or storytelling to thrive.

Standing in front of the screen at Lyon’s historic Pathé cinema theater during the masterclass, I couldn’t help but express my personal preference: “In my opinion, watching a film like this is simply the best.” I shared that I appreciate the traditional feature-length format and find it challenging to maintain focus for as long as a miniseries.

However, he admitted, “It would be dishonest of me to deny their effectiveness, as I’ve taken part in them, and I’ve had enjoyable experiences. For instance, I starred in the miniseries ‘Escape at Dannemora’, which I found engaging, and a movie named ‘Reptile’, which went directly to Netflix. I also appreciated it, and it managed to find an audience. Yet, what I truly long for is for you to share this experience with me in a communal setting.

However, it seems unstoppable – the allure of the phone is overpowering. Yet my daughter enjoys both; she spends a lot of time on her phone but also enjoys going to the cinema.

The Lumiere Film Festival runs in and around Lyon until Oct. 20.

2024-10-14 19:46

Benicio Del Toro Talks About the U.S. Election: ‘Politics is a Dirty Game’

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