Javier Bardem’s Biutiful has received two Oscar nominations — for the best foreign film and the Best Actor category. Here’s what the actor has to share about his role in the film and much more. What was it that really attracted you to Uxbal and made you want to play him?
A lot of things. I’m a huge fan of the director, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, and his work, to begin with, but, as I’m not the kind of person that gets drawn towards names, what draws me toward a project is the script itself.
For a film with this level of emotional intensity, how do you maintain that over a shoot that’s five months long?I don’t know how. I just did it, but I don’t know how to do it.
Did it help that this film was done chronologically? Yeah, that helped a lot. Otherwise, it would have been too crazy to be able to go through that journey randomly.
Did it help that this film was done chronologically? Yeah, that helped a lot. Otherwise, it would have been too crazy to be able to go through that journey randomly.
How was Alejandro, as a director?
Javier’s one of the greatest directors of all time, with the way he films and the way he puts together the filming. He’s also an actor’s director. You can tear apart your heart into pieces, but if the camera is not in the right place, it doesn’t matter. He knows where to put the camera. He knows how to work with silence. That’s how good he is.
Javier’s one of the greatest directors of all time, with the way he films and the way he puts together the filming. He’s also an actor’s director. You can tear apart your heart into pieces, but if the camera is not in the right place, it doesn’t matter. He knows where to put the camera. He knows how to work with silence. That’s how good he is.
How would you feel, having been nominated for an Oscar for this role?
It’s great fun and a great honour. It’s something that you never dream of. And then, it happens and you try to share it with all the people that are meaningful to you.
How do you pick your characters?
I don’t know. It happens. You feel driven to it. That’s it.
It’s great fun and a great honour. It’s something that you never dream of. And then, it happens and you try to share it with all the people that are meaningful to you.
How do you pick your characters?
I don’t know. It happens. You feel driven to it. That’s it.
All smiles for Bardem
Javier Bardem smiles after winning Oscar for Supporting Actor, in 2007, for No Country for Old Men. He received his first Oscar nomination for Before Night Falls, 2000 in the Best Actor category. With Biutiful, 2010, the list of Oscar nominations under his belt goes to three.
Javier Bardem smiles after winning Oscar for Supporting Actor, in 2007, for No Country for Old Men. He received his first Oscar nomination for Before Night Falls, 2000 in the Best Actor category. With Biutiful, 2010, the list of Oscar nominations under his belt goes to three.
