Javier Bardem Learns "Mexican" In The Style Of Salma Hayek

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

In The Roads Not Taken, the last film that Javier Bardem starred, this actor had to play a man marked by dementia who, in addition, had to speak with a Mexican accent. In order to get a proper job with her character, Salma Hayek helped him with language and taught him some "bad words."

"Every morning he would come saying, 'Long live Mexico bastards,'" Bardem said, smiling, to the media. "I was dying to work with you and do it with a Mexican accent [the actor told Salma Hayek]."

The Oscar winner confessed that the work represented by playing Leo, a character with a problem of that nature, while perfecting his way of speaking, was strong and "pretty screwed up"; In addition, she worked a lot with director Sally Potter, who also based this story on the experience she lived with her brother who suffered from dementia until his death. Javier Bardem's performance was translated into applause after his screening at the Berlinale.

"To prepare the character I heard the story of Sally [Potter]," he added.

Salma Hayek, as Leo's ex-wife, also participates in this film. Despite having a close personal relationship with Bardem because "he is married to my best friend!", Penélope Cruz, the histrion could not hide his excitement from working with Spanish for the first time and on a project spoken in his native language.

"They don't give me many opportunities to do roles in Spanish, and suddenly I get a role to work with a fantastic director," Hayek said, visibly pleased. "And with my favorite actor in the world, who is Javier Bardem."

The Roads Not Taken also features Elle Fanning.