Background on Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal, a Chilean-American actor, is known for his roles in “The Last of Us” and “Narcos.” He currently stars in the film “Eddington,” which is competing for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival alongside Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler.
Pascal’s Stand Against Political Intimidation
At a press conference in Cannes, Pascal, 50, expressed his concerns about the increasingly polarized political climate in the United States following Donald Trump’s re-election. He stated, “It’s terrifying for an actor to speak out against the U.S. president.”
Pascal, whose parents are Chilean refugees who fled a dictatorship and later sought asylum in Denmark, emphasized his support for protecting migrants. He said, “I am an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile. We escaped a dictatorship and I had the privilege of growing up in the U.S. after asylum in Denmark… I support those protections for migrants.”
The Political Divide in the U.S.
The political divide in the United States has deepened with Trump’s re-election, as Hollywood previously criticized him and often mocked him in entertainment television programs.
Robert De Niro, who received an award for lifetime achievement at Cannes on Tuesday, urged the audience of directors and leading actors to resist what he called the “Philistine president of the United States.”
Trump has faced at least two assassination attempts during his political career: one in 2024 during a campaign event in Pennsylvania and another in the same year at his golf course in Florida.
Pascal’s Call to Action for the Film Industry
Inspired by De Niro’s message at Cannes’ opening night, Pascal urged the film industry to find the courage to resist political pressure. He emphasized, “Keep telling stories, keep expressing yourselves, and keep fighting to be who you are.”
“Eddington,” directed by horror specialist Ari Aster, satirizes all parties involved in the U.S. political landscape, from conservative gun enthusiasts in the South to activists supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Pedro Pascal? Pedro Pascal is a Chilean-American actor known for his roles in “The Last of Us” and “Narcos.” He currently stars in the film “Eddington,” which is competing for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
- What concerns does Pascal express about the U.S. political climate? Pascal is worried about the deepening political divide in the United States following Donald Trump’s re-election. He finds it terrifying for actors to speak out against the president.
- What is Pascal’s stance on immigration protections? As a descendant of refugees, Pascal supports protecting migrants and believes in the importance of these safeguards.
- How does Pascal encourage the film industry to respond to political pressure? Pascal calls on the film industry to resist political intimidation by continuing to tell stories and express themselves authentically.
- What is “Eddington” about? “Eddington” is a satirical film directed by Ari Aster that examines the U.S. political scene, set in New Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. It features Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Pedro Pascal.
