Pedro Pascal about U.S. political chaos: "F— the people that try to make you scared"
Pedro Pascal, at a press conference in Cannes, criticized fear in U.S. politics, urging continued storytelling as a form of resistance.
At a press conference in Cannes, actor Pedro Pascal addressed the political turmoil in the United States with a powerful message: “F--- the people who try to make you scared.” The actor took the opportunity to emphasize his stance on fear and political expression.
Ari Aster’s Eddington—starring Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler—was presented at the Cannes Film Festival. During the press conference, when the cast was asked about their concerns regarding the film’s reception in the U.S. and their return flights due to its political themes, Pascal stepped in and said:
“Fear is the way they win. So keep telling the stories, keep expressing yourself, and keep fighting to be who you are,” he continued. “F--- the people that try to make you scared, you know? And fight back. This is the perfect way to do so—by telling stories. And don’t let them win.”
Eddington: A political critique
Ari Aster’s film premiered last night in Cannes, receiving a five-minute standing ovation, during which Joaquin Phoenix became visibly emotional. That reception might be a good sign through it premiered in China.
The movie tells the story of a standoff between the town sheriff (Phoenix) and the mayor (Pascal) in Eddington, New Mexico, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—and how local residents support their conflicting ideals.
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Eddington director supports Pedro Pascal.
Aster echoed Pascal’s sentiments, explaining his inspiration behind the film: “I wanted to show what it feels like to live in a world where nobody can agree on what is real anymore,” he said. “Over the last 20 years, we’ve fallen into this age of hyper-individualism.
That social force that used to be central in liberal mass democracies—an agreed-upon vision of the world—is gone now. COVID felt like the moment where that link was finally cut for good. I wanted to make a film about what America feels like to me. I’m very worried.”
Eddington will premiere in theaters on July 18. The film also stars Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, and Clifton Collins Jr.
