Javier Bardem has expressed words of gratitude to the Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty, who at the press conference of the jury members of the official section of the Cannes festival, defended that the Spanish actor, like Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo, raised their voices publicly in support of Gaza and harshly criticized the American industry for the alleged professional reprisals against the three actors. “I sent him a message through a mutual friend thanking him and also Laverty has always been an artistic and personal reference,” the Oscar-winning actor confessed to a small group of journalists during an interview about his role in El ser querido, by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, which is competing for the Palme d’Or and is officially presented this afternoon at the French festival.

No one would have said, a priori, that the tenor Benjamin Bernheim – pure technique, exquisite phrasing, and perfect diction – and the soprano Ermonela Yaho – all passion and vibrato – would form a colossal operatic duo. But this was proven on Friday at the opening night of the 40th edition of the Peralada Festival, an event that makes real the popular saying that 40 is the new 30, as it maintains its essence with youthful dynamism and improves with age.