Spanish Actor Javier Bardem Used His Platform At Cannes To Call Out Toxic Masculinity, Dragging Trump, Putin And Netanyahu
Bardem said that toxic masculinity is also a problem in global politics, with world leaders trying to appear tough at the cost of human lives.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem has called out US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s toxic masculinity at the Cannes Film Festival, saying it is “creating thousands of dead people.”
Bardem made the comment during a press conference on Sunday, May 17, for his new film “The Beloved,” which follows Bardem’s character, Esteban Martínez, a famous movie director, who hires his estranged daughter to be part of his new movie, exploring themes of emotional abuse and manipulation.
When asked why men chose to leave the people they love in pursuit of success and power, Bardem said the root cause was upbringing.
“I think it comes from the origins of what this so-called toxic masculinity comes from, which is the education, the bad education that we have received for many ages,” Bardem said.
The 57-year-old said toxic masculinity has been rooted in many cultures, including where he comes from, Spain.
He condemned Spain’s machista culture, which has normalized violence against women in the country.
“Spain, where there is an average of two women killed monthly by their ex-husbands or ex-boyfriends, which is horrible,” he said. “Just that amount of women being murdered. It's unbelievable. And we kind of normalized it…I mean, are we fucking nuts? We are killing women because some men think they own them, they possess them?”
Bardem said that toxic masculinity is also a problem in global politics, with world leaders trying to appear tough at the cost of human lives.
“That problem also goes to Mr. Trump, and Mr. Putin and Mr. Netanyahu, the big balls man, said, ‘My big, my cock is bigger than yours, and I'm going to bomb the shit out of you,’” he said. “Is a fucking male toxic behavior that is creating thousands of dead people.”
During the press conference, Bardem also warned about the monopoly of media and information, saying it affects democracy and how young people interact with and question information.
He also condemned Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which he has been constantly outspoken about.
“Genocide is a fact. You can fight against it, you can try to justify it, explain it. That is a fact.”
Bardem has also previously called out Trump and Netanyahu for their unprovoked wars on Iran and has repeatedly expressed his support for Palestine.
Sofia Hou
Cherry Mohamed
Cherry Mohamed
