Javier Bardem talks about toxic masculinity and his support for Palestine in candid interview

Javier Bardem, a Spanish actor who has never been afraid to speak his mind, whether on Israeli actions in Gaza over the past year or in support of Palestine on global forums, continues to voice what he believes. In a recent interview with Variety on Tuesday, responding to a question about his motivation to speak up, Bardem said the real question should be: “How come I wouldn’t?”

The actor also spoke about masculinity, reflecting on his upbringing in 20th-century Spain and how toxic it can become if not understood correctly. Speaking to Variety, he said, “We were educated in a culture that was giving us all we wanted, and we took for granted that we are way more powerful and more in control, we are the driving force, as men. That is absolutely wrong in every sense.”

Opening up further, Bardem said he feels deeply about the subject. As a father to a teenage boy and a pre-teen girl, he shared that one of his fears is that ideas of masculinity may be regressing. He credited his mother, Pilar Bardem, for raising him with the understanding that sacrifice and strength are not limited to masculinity.