It is the contradictions
inherent in the character of Pablo Escobar that are at the root
of Spanish actor Javier Bardem's fascination for hm.
"I was interested in understanding his personality, that
contradiction that made him an affectionate father who made
hundreds of other fathers cry," said the Spanish actor who
interprets the Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist in the
film 'Loving Pablo' by Fernando Leon de Aranoa presented out of
competition at the international film festival in Venice.
During preparation and shooting Bardem transformed himself
into the 'king of cocaine', even gaining 20 kg in order to
better convey his slow, heavy movements.
The film is based on the book 'Loving Pablo, hating Escobar'
by Colombian television journalist Virginia Vallejo, who was
also Escobar's lover.
Her part is played by Bardem's wife, Spanish actress Penelope
Cruz.
"Javier frightened me, he had such an ugly, aggressive
energy," Cruz said.
"For him to be so well inside his character was a help to me
on set, but then at home it made me feel sick," she added.
"After four weeks of filming I couldn't wait to finish the
film."
The movie was shot on location in Colombia in the places
frequented by Escobar and it even uses soldiers who really
fought against him.
"After such a long preparation I understood that at base he
was motivated by the obsessive need for respect, this is what
made him mad, this is what made him bring a country to its
knees," Bardem said.
'Loving Pablo' will be distributed in Italy by Notorius.
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