Making a Big Difference
Up Close and Personal with the actor, the filmmaker, the social activist, Gael Garcia Bernal!
by Jed Medina

"I am a person of the world - that is what I should be regardless if I am an actor or not. You have to be able to lead the life you are asking for; you have to show with example."

These are powerful words from Gael Garcia Bernal. He was reacting to a question posed by the press during an interview. The question has something to do with him being a participant in demonstrations about some of today's sensitive social issues- the plight of Mexican farmers and the G8 summit. Recently, he again expressed his views, this time about the proposed border between the US and Mexico, his hometown.

"I think the prejudice that exists is incredibly open, even on the official news channels. It's always about identity and securing the borders. Secure the borders from what, man? These people come to work! Hey, the guys that came in for 9/11 came from Canada! They came from other places, not from Mexico!"

Just like some of the roles he played on screen, Gael Garcia Bernal is a passionate man with a social conscience. This is much more than what can be said of today’s actors.

An Introduction to Gael: In 'Amores Perros', the Academy award nominated film; he has made such an impression on filmgoers. In this Alejandro Iñárritu film, he delivered a powerful performance as a young man in love with his brother's wife. The extent to which he will do everything just to get her- even using his dog, a pit bull, to fight in an illegal blood sport to save money

‘Come with me…let’s run together…” says Gael’s character.

This scene captured Garcia Bernal in his most vulnerable, looking like a young man madly in love with some one who is simply beyond his reach…but he still longs for her, wanting her. It was sort of an initiation to Bernal, and the many possibilities he can do in the world of films. Never has there been an actor in recent memory that can generate such massive appeal and admiration.

Making a Difference: Six years have passed and Gael made some of the most impressive list of films, collaborating with some of the world's most gifted filmmakers- among them- Pedro Almodóvar, Michel Gondry, James Marsh, Walter Salles, and Iñárritu.

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As an actor, he defies convention and challenges your very ideal of what a movie star (or leading man) should be. He can be daring and dangerous, sweet and romantic. He can play a role as a woman, a transvestite even, and get away with it. In his eyes, there is fire. In his action, there is fluidity, there is purpose.

In the Motorcycle Diaries, he played the young Che Guevara. Once again, Bernal demonstrated his gift as an actor capable of showing a whole range of emotions.

"Let the world change you and you can change the world" says the trailer.

Way before Guevara became famous; it was during this time that the Revolutionary traveled the whole of South America. It was an awakening experience, where he got to witness the sorry plight of many. Bernal portrayed the role with authority and it was such an inspired performance, one could only wonder what this young actor can't do.

For Pedro Almodóvar La Mala Educación (Bad Education), Bernal is 'playing several roles including an opportunistic actor and a drag queen.' Says Gael during an interview:

"Oh, it's crazy! If I told you the story I'm gonna sell out the film, because it's one of those where every five minutes, you discover, like, 'Ah! Ah! Okay! And the character I play three characters (He shuts his mouth tight and won't go any further; everybody laughs)"

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Both films can be considered as critical and box-office success, which is quite an accomplishment considering the theme that both films tackle. One can conclude that aside from the vision of its directors, it was the heartfelt performance of Garcia Bernal which made the difference.

As for The King, "the actor - who in person projects the same intensity as his characters - guides viewers through an American Western gothic tale that includes murder, incest, prostitution and arson."

We are quoting from the New York Daily News: "This movie (actually) starts with the whole immigration issue," says Bernal, who plays a drifter named Elvis, the son of a Mexican mother and a Caucasian American father. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Elvis seeks out the father he never knew, who's now a Baptist preacher in a Texas church. But even after his dad, David (William Hurt), rejects him on sight, Elvis tries to infiltrate the family, and soon falls in love with 16-year-old Malerie (Pell James). Though Elvis is born in the U.S. and even spends years defending it, Bernal sees a character still spurned from American society because of his ethnic background.

"In the film, Elvis returns to the United States after having served (in the military), and feels that he has nothing left to prove," says Bernal, who was born in Guadalajara and now lives in Mexico City. "He has done everything he can to be accepted, yet he is soon rejected again."

As the border issue between the US and Mexico becomes more and more explosive, the King, in a sense, reflected the way the US treats Mexico and its South American neighbors. Just as Elvis' father treats his bastard son, as never really a son to love and accept.

While these films have been promoted to a world-wide audience, some of Bernal's earlier films are as impressive, and as wonderful. Many would remember the deliciously sexy and thrilling Y Tu Mama Tambien and Carlos Carrera's El Crimen del Padre Amaro, one film that generated a lot of discussion due to its sensitive theme- a film about a Catholic priest who got entangled in an affair. Aside from the issue of religion and celibacy, it also dwells on the issue of drugs and social taboos.

What's to Expect: Gondry's The Science of Sleep and Iñárritu’s Babel, both making the rounds of film festivals have been widely received and garnered positive reviews. The former tackles quite a light theme compared to the latter, where the story is multi-layered.

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Together with his co-star in Y Tu Mama Tambien, Diego Luna, Bernal is wrapping up with a film documentary, a 16-city documentary festival called Ambulante.
The Final Word: The film industry will always have ample supply of good looking people willing and able to perform any roles that come their way. But good looks and strong connection with producers and film makers is not enough to sustain an acting career, one has to be ready to take risk and to experiment, to educate himself and develop his craft. Of course, he need not be an intellectual, but someone who understands the ways of the world. That's what makes Gael Garcia Bernal unique.

"Acting is an inner journey" says Gael. "It's a safe way, and an exciting way, to test yourself and to be able to travel these distances, and be blunt and brave and throw yourself into it. And maybe it won't look good, but at least that golden dust that comes out of an act of faith is always there, it always transcends, it is always worthwhile."

The Gael Garcia Bernal spotlight is written by Jed Medina, with excerpts taken from www.senorbernal.com, New York Daily News, www.estoeshollywood.com, IMDB . All Rights Reserved 2007.

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Comments (1)

Viva Gael!

Hi Jed! Thanks for the invite man! I sure love 2 do film reviews and there's lots of projects with Gael real soon! I'll have some stuff for you this week.

Redge Castro , June 10, 2007

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