26 years ago, Javier Bardem and Diego Luna crossed paths for the first time on the set of Julian Schnabel’s movie “Before Night Falls”. Since then, both have ascended to become powerhouses in Spanish-speaking film and television. In the true-crime series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”, Bardem portrays a stern father figure who may be abusive, with two sons yearning to escape his grip (the sons ultimately kill him and their mother, played by Chloë Sevigny; the parents are depicted in flashbacks). On the other hand, Luna takes on a more heroic role in the “Star Wars” spin-off “Andor”, playing a thief with an awakening political consciousness, determined to challenge the Galactic Empire.
Javier Bardem: You are a “Star Wars” hero, man. How do you feel?
Diego Luna: I have to admit, it’s quite thrilling! I used to watch “Star Wars” as a child. Making “Andor” was like going back to the old days – we interacted with droids and machines that had an actor’s voice coming through a speaker. They are such fascinating beings, just like the people behind the scenes who brought them to life. It’s a childhood dream come true! No need for green screens, it’s all about filmmaking.
Bardem: You know that you’re not going to be called back for reshoots — there are no sets.
Luna: Exactly. At the same time, it has a feeling of everything is from a galaxy far, far away.
Bardem: It must be helpful to be surrounded by things that remind you you’re not in this world.
Assistant: In essence, this show portrays the everyday lives of ordinary individuals, with no Jedi characters involved. It offers a glimpse into their homes and personal spaces, even showing them taking naps. The focus is on capturing the extraordinary moments in the ordinary lives of people. However, there are certain constraints: No shoelaces or buttons are allowed. Coats can simply be fastened. And as for me, I get to wear a cape!
At the age of 13, while acting in theater and TV productions in Mexico, it was through your artistic endeavors that I discovered the possibility of pursuing a career in film.
Bardem: I’m deeply fond of you, my comrade! Your accomplishments as an actor, producer, and individual truly inspire me. It’s almost unbelievable that it’s been around 30 years since our initial collaboration on “Before Night Falls,” which was my debut in English and one of your early ventures. What a stroke of luck for us to still be here!
Luna: I couldn’t call [my dialogue] English.
Bardem: I understand your topic. We share a common issue. Your intuition isn’t in English. I am more open in English. In Spanish, I feel exposed. In English, I feel concealed.
Luna: I don’t share those feelings. I’m very mindful of my language abilities. So, for José Menendez, what made portraying this character an integral aspect of your life?
Bardem: I had the greatest time.
Luna: How is that possible?
As a seasoned movie critic, I must confess that I was unfamiliar with the narrative of this film, although it resonated deeply in the United States, surprisingly not as much in Europe. In the acting world, there exists an unspoken rule against portraying pedophiles on screen. With this project, I found myself questioning how director Ryan Murphy would navigate this sensitive topic, given my personal policy of avoiding any scenes involving minors. However, he assured me that we wouldn’t delve into such territory and expressed his own reluctance to do so as well.
As a passionate cinephile, I find it intriguing to ponder over the plot twist that only four individuals truly understand [the real events]. Regrettably, two of them are no longer with us, and the remaining pair finds themselves behind bars. This situation adds a layer of complexity to my character, who is portrayed as potentially capable of such heinous acts, yet we’re left questioning if he was truly the perpetrator or not.
I observed, and it struck me, “Wow, there’s so much that remains concealed beneath this large, dominating presence, a persona that always seems to be performing. What secrets lie beneath?” This thought made me reflect on many acquaintances of mine.
Bardem: The kind of machismo we’re familiar with stems from our upbringing. Portraying José Menendez made me understand the concept of a man educated with misguided values towards women and self-image. I recognized aspects of my own upbringing – being steeped in certain male stereotypes. Fortunately, I was fortunate to be raised more by my mother than my father, and that turned out to be a blessing. She was a strong advocate. She always stood up for women’s rights, labor rights, and various causes. And I thought, “Yes, this is the right way.”
Bardem: The kind of machismo we grew up with comes from our background. Playing José Menendez helped me understand what it means to be a man who’s been taught the wrong values about women and self-worth. I could see parts of my own upbringing – growing up with certain ideas about masculinity. Luckily, I was raised mostly by my mother instead of my father, which turned out well for me. She was strong and fought for women’s rights, workers’ rights, and many other causes. And I realized that this is the right path to follow.
Production: BAUIE+RAD; Production Design: Francisco Vargas
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2025-06-10 18:18