At the Cannes Film Festival press conference for Ari Aster’s Eddington, Pedro Pascal spoke out on US politics, specifically criticizing Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Actor Pedro Pascal attended the Cannes Film Festival for the world premiere of Eddington, a Covid-set satire directed by Ari Aster. Joining him at the press conference were co-stars Austin Butler, Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, and Michael Ward. During the event, Pascal spoke candidly about the current turmoil in US politics under Donald Trump’s presidency and shared deeply personal reflections on his own family’s history.
What Pedro Pascal Said
According to The Independent, Pedro Pascal discussed the importance of making films that challenge the current political climate in the US. He said,
“Fear is the way they win. So, keep telling the stories. Keep expressing yourself and keep fighting to be who you are. F*** the people that try to make you scared… And fight back. This is the perfect way to do so — through storytelling.
“Obviously, it’s very scary for an actor to participate in a movie that tackles issues like this. It’s far too intimidating a question for me to fully address — I’m not informed enough.”
“I want people to be safe”
Pedro Pascal shared a personal story about his family’s escape from dictatorship and their journey to safety in the US. He said,
“I want people to be safe and protected, and I want very much to live on the right side of history. I’m an immigrant—my parents are refugees from Chile. We fled a dictatorship, and I was privileged enough to grow up in the US after seeking asylum in Denmark. If it weren’t for that, I don’t know what would have happened to us. I stand by those protections. I’m too afraid of your question. I hardly remember what it was.”
This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Trump administration will offer migrants $1,000 and travel assistance to voluntarily return to their home countries. Since his return to office, Trump has issued numerous executive orders and statements aimed at tightening border security and increasing deportations of undocumented immigrants.
