The Circuit

by John Hopewell and Team Variety, San Sebastian
The San Sebastian Festival didn’t quite begin with a bang Thursday, but almost: it began with Javier Bardem and Antonio Banderas.

Spain’s two homeboys made good in Hollywood, they made for an interesting contrast.

Banderas was modesty to a tee. In town to tubthump Richard Eyre’s official fest opener “The Other Man,” and to pick up a Donostia Award tomorrow, he took the press conference with Eyre dressed in an orange-red shirt as bright as a soccer strip - a common touch. He looked gaunter than in his “Zorro 2" or “Desperado” uber-roles, but then he downscales everything.

“What had he achieved?” one journalist asked. “I feel I’m just beginning,” Banderas replied.

Had he really opened Hollywood for more Spaniards?  For Spaniards, probably not, maybe for Hispanos.

The Donostia Award?  He’d like to think it’s as much for what he’d achieve in the future as in the past.

Banderas will receive the award, San Sebastian’s career achievement award, from Pedro Almodovar, who discovered him as a curly haired 21-year-old in 1983's “Labyrinth of Passion.”

Almodovar’s presence could be felt in Banderas’ words. Was he disappointed not to gave been cast in the film version of “Nine?”

"En mi corazoncito, porque todo el mundo tiene su corazoncito, si." [“In my heart of hearts, yes.”]  The phrasing is pure Pedro.  Banderas wanted Hollywood. And he got it. Chapeau. He left Spain without knowing hardly any English.

And Hollywood wanted Bardem. They’ve rarely had him, though he’s been attached by the press to a litany of projects. 18 months ago, Variety went through IMDb’s list of Bardem’s future movies: for one reason or another, he wasn’t going to make any of them.

Dressed in sober black, Bardem took a press conference with Woody Allen, Rebecca Hall and pic co-producer Jaume Roures for the Spanish preem of “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” which was warmly received at the fest.

For most of the conference, Bardem’s manner was that of a perfect host, the gentleman hidalgo, welcoming Allen back to Spain. He hardly had to act that: he’s a great bohemian, a great friend to his friends and good causes.

But not everybody recognises that in Spain.

In an interview with The New York Times T Magazine early this month Bardem lamented “The Spanish are tough. They criticise my work and say I sold out. You want to say “Stop it - you’re a bunch of stupid people!”

The passing comment - aimed at a small clutch of Spaniards - nevertheless caused a media maelstrom in Spain, being taken as a national slur.

Even his Oscar-win caused howls of disgust among a minority in Spain’s right.  "I feel I’m on a river in my little boat discovering, developing my art. And beside there’s a channel of sometimes fecal waters, with words, images, acts that I’ve supposedly committed, and the only thing I get is the channel’s stink.”

Javier Bardem said wise and sensible things at the conference.

“Did he improvise the scenes with Penelope?”  No, you don’t really improvise when Woody Allen writes the script, Bardem replied.

Do you imagine Almodovar making “Vicky Cristina Barcelona?"  No, Almodovar makes his own masterpieces, Bardem replied.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that when Bardem’s press conference comments are covered by the press, many will lead with his laments on media coverage. Just Google it in Spanish.


The Variety España team is on the ground in Spain, bringing regular dispatches throughout the San Sebastian Film Festival.