Pedro Pascal delivered a powerful message regarding the current political turmoil in the U.S. during a recent press conference at the Cannes Film Festival for Ari Aster’s much-anticipated film, “Eddington.” Addressing a room full of journalists, Pascal boldly stated, “Fuck the people who try to make you scared.” His remarks came as the cast, which includes notable actors such as Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler, was asked about their concerns about returning to the U.S. after making a film with a strong political narrative.
Pascal emphasized that “fear is the way that they win,” urging individuals to continue telling stories and expressing themselves. “So keep telling the stories, keep expressing yourself and keep fighting to be who you are,” he encouraged. “Fuck the people that try to make you scared, you know? And fight back. This is the perfect way to do so in telling stories. And don’t let them win.” His passionate words resonated with the audience, underscoring the film's intent to challenge oppressive narratives.
“Eddington” premiered to an enthusiastic reception last night, receiving a remarkable five-minute standing ovation, during which Joaquin Phoenix appeared visibly emotional. This A24 film is not afraid to critique the MAGA movement, setting its story against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic in May 2020. The narrative revolves around a tense standoff between a small-town sheriff, played by Phoenix, and the town's mayor, portrayed by Pascal. This conflict ignites a volatile situation that pits neighbor against neighbor in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico.
Alongside Pascal and Phoenix, the film features a talented supporting cast, including Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, and Clifton Collins Jr.. The film's release is particularly timely, as it reflects the deep societal divisions and anxieties that have emerged in the U.S. during recent years.
During the press conference, Pascal was also asked about former President Trump’s immigration policies, leading him to share his personal insights on the topic. “Obviously, it’s very scary for an actor participating in a movie to sort of speak to issues like this. It’s far too intimidating the question for me to really address, I’m not informed enough,” he admitted. He expressed a strong desire for safety and protection for all individuals, drawing on his own background as an immigrant. “I’m an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile. We fled a dictatorship, and I was privileged enough to grow up in the U.S. after asylum in Denmark. If it weren’t for that, I don’t know what would have happened to us. I stand by those protections,” he stated candidly.
Ari Aster, the film's director, spoke about the inspiration behind “Eddington,” explaining that he wrote the film while grappling with fear and anxiety about the state of the world. “I wanted to show what it feels like to live in a world where nobody can agree on what is real anymore,” he said, highlighting the societal fragmentation that has intensified over the past two decades. He noted that the COVID pandemic felt like a critical moment that severed the social fabric of America. “I wanted to make a film about what America feels like, to me. I’m very worried,” Aster reflected.
Pascal shared that the film's themes resonated deeply with him, leading him to feel compelled to participate in the project. “It felt like the first time that we had a mole, like a whistleblower almost, someone from the inside being like, ‘This is what’s happening,'” he remarked, emphasizing the film’s relevance and potency.
The film has already begun to garner critical acclaim, with Variety’s Owen Gleiberman praising “Eddington” as a “brazenly provocative Western thriller.” He noted that the film aims to capture the “creeping unreality of what America’s become,” presenting an angry, sinister, and perhaps mad new America with a tone of “trepidatious glee.” According to Gleiberman, Aster’s portrayal of America reflects the profound impact of the pandemic and the resulting societal shifts.
As “Eddington” continues to make waves in the film industry, the cast's commitment to confronting pressing political issues through storytelling showcases the power of cinema in challenging the status quo.
