“Fear paralyzes us and makes us settle for something we don’t want”

You started the year by easily finishing your therapy practices in the palliative department of a hospital… A radical change if you compare it with your usual activities.

Life has to do with continuing to learn to become more aware of death, continuing to work on me personally, and tapping into something quite taboo that we’re not even used to talking about. I’ve been working with this for many years. In fact, Tata’s documentary has a lot to do with therapy to talk about the fear of death. He showed up to do this 9 month training in the palliative unit and although it was difficult it was a very positive experience. It’s hard, but it’s also hard not to face it and have it suddenly hit you. No one will be 100 percent ready when the time comes, but you can have more peace and quiet. And most importantly, my admiration for all health personnel and especially for those working in the field of palliative care.

Death is also very present co-pilot syndromeThe movie you presented at the Teatro Principal in Alicante on Friday, because you play the deceased husband of a woman who has to grant her last wishes.

No, this is not far from work because Marina mourns the death of her husband. The truth is, paradoxically, I played the dead role all year and the work was such a powerful revelation at the text and message level. People are impressed, and it reaches them, not only because of Vanessa Montfort’s sublimely written text, but also because she managed to ensure that a piece of her book that she took to the theater was filled with messages and phrases that you would want as well. Because they are so powerful, they like to have nightstands on display.

The work also leads the hero to recover and justify his identity as a woman.

Yes, the work justifies one’s identity and analyzes one’s life and how one wants it to be. All her life she realizes that her husband has been a co-pilot in her life, not making her own decisions. But it must be said that it was he who was taken. The character says that it is very important not to make decisions.

Miguel Ángel Muñoz in “Co-pilot syndrome” Christina Martinez

Are we still like this?

Unfortunately due to a cultural issue, I believe it occurs much more often in women than in men. Fortunately for a long time things have been changing and we are moving towards a completely equal society, but culturally the woman stayed at home, looked after the family and agreed that the head of the family made the decisions. There are many people in the couple who leave the reins to the other. This piece is extremely feminist, but we can also swap characters and the text can be the same. It talks about people who can’t take control of their lives and decide that someone else should. Fear paralyzes us and makes us settle for something we don’t want. It makes everything easier for someone else to pick us up. And that happens with all kinds of couples, not to mention the sexes.

Reuniting with cinema and theater UPA Dance 20 years later.

I would like to point out that this is not a tour. For me it’s a spin-off, it’s UPA Next because it’s a new generation. Of all the characters from 20 years ago, we only have three and I’m very happy. It was very difficult for me to decide because I have great respect and love for him beyond that time and it was risky but the scenarios are up to the task. The first episode works amazingly. It was so much fun to wear Uncle Rober’s suit again. Even though the character is very complex, I edited it without any prejudice, and after 20 years I put on the costume again with great enthusiasm and also without prejudice to return it to its old self.

“Julio Iglesias is the most valuable, funny, iconic and iconic character I’ve ever been lucky enough to play”

You also put yourself in Julio Iglesias’s shoes in Miguel Bosé’s biography. It will not be easy.

Lo de Julio Iglesias is a six-part mini-series. I became a sweetheart. The most precious, funny, iconic and iconic character I’ve ever been lucky enough to play. He is such an iconic character of our culture that it makes us understand him as he was in his time. Julio, 38-39, who is at the peak of success.

Is it true that you do UVA ray sessions for three months to achieve your skin tone?

Yes, I finally turned brown. Even though I can’t keep up with the July blues of some summers… Actually UPA Next I started out very dark although he was right as I should have lived in Miami, but it was just too much.

You premiered the Latin Grammys in 2022 and delivered one, got the Aisge award, reaped the fruits of your documentary film. 100 days with Tata… What more could you ask for in 2023?

It’s like impossible. The past year has been so extraordinary that you can’t ask for more from 2023. I’ve been wanting health since the pandemic because being physically fit is important to be able to do so many things. This is what allows me to do many things at the same time. But to be healthy, I asked him to get some rest and started the year with two little months off. And as of February or March, interesting projects continue to come. On the other hand, I needed time to write my next movie that I wanted to start this year. One of the goals is to get the script to pre-production with Paciencia Films so we can shoot next year.

“I needed time to write my next film. I want to pre-produce the script with Paciencia Films so I can shoot it next year”

This is the year you will turn 40. How are the years going?

The truth is, I’m very happy with my age and turning 40. 4 is my favorite number and I feel so good, at a vital moment. But I don’t see it with dread or as an abyss that marks an entirely different stage. Yes, it’s true that this is progressing faster and faster. But hey, accept what is. I have always loved birthdays. It is true that my circle and friends are seven or eight years older.

You just have to see Tata, who just turned 98.

One looks so young when you’re as close as Tata, who is 59 years older than me. If only he had reached his age with the head and soul where he lived his old age and lack of independence. That’s what I admire about him, and one of the things the documentary shows is a dignified way of aging and an unbeatable attitude towards life.

In such a sensitive moment as we are living with the pandemic, your relationship with him has been a touchstone unlike many seniors being treated in dormitories.

I can’t put the medal on all the important topics covered in the documentary and all the messages it gives. The truth is, I needed to tell about my relationship with him, but in principle it would be for him and me. And also to face my fear, to prepare for its absence. I actually started doing it in 2017. But there is a window of hope, especially in the group that has suffered so much, as someone who has been in a different situation because of receiving special attention. Not because I am exceptional, but because he is.

You posted a pose with a pig on Instagram, apparently something that has become fashionable and that George Clooney and David Beckham have also done. I leave it there…

(laughs) I read that. I thought it was something more normal. I took a four day trip to Miami after the Grammys and had a very good experience on a group of small islands with little pigs. Others had iguanas, all free, and others had sharks. I also took pictures with them.