Pedro Pascal Calls for Resistance Against Political Fearmongering
Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal encouraged Hollywood to “fight against those who seek to intimidate you” during a press conference on Saturday, acknowledging the challenges of standing up to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
When discussing Trump’s strict immigration policies, the star of “The Last of Us” and “Narcos” shared his personal background. “I am an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile. We fled from a dictatorship, and after my time in exile in Denmark, I was fortunate enough to grow up in the U.S.,” he said.
Pascal is currently featured in the upcoming film “Eddington,” alongside Joaquin Phoenix. This dark satirical movie explores the toxic political landscape in America during the COVID pandemic.
Directed by Ari Aster, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday. Pascal echoed a sentiment from Robert De Niro during the festival’s opening night, arguing that the film industry must find the courage to confront political pressures.
“Continue to tell stories, to express yourself, and to stand up for who you are,” he advised. “Ignore those who attempt to instill fear in you, and respond with resilience. This is an essential way to share stories, and we must not let them prevail.”
De Niro, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at Cannes, also implored his fellow filmmakers to resist the influence of the “Philist President of America.”
Ari Aster, who tends to satirize various societal groups in his films, portrays a range of characters, from gun-loving conservatives to white anti-racist activists.
Emma Stone plays Phoenix’s wife, getting drawn into a world filled with right-wing conspiracy theorists fixated on Pedro Pascal.
Aster expressed concern over the current state of America and aimed to reflect on it through his film. He questioned whether the nation’s divided politics and the erosion of trust in media could lead to significant violence. “I worry that nothing will be done to quell the rising anger,” he remarked.
