“Years ago, I was more aware of the public’s reaction”

Memory and the Holocaust. These terms are very current, despite the passing of time and the dismay of all of us then and now, with what is going on in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Historians say that history is cyclical and repeating. I don’t know if it’s like the imbalances that reproduce in man, or the hatred of the other. In most cases of coexistence these are more or less serious conflicts and when one country or one bloc confronts another it is war and human denial. While modernity is realizing that a human being has the same rights as Moroccan, Chinese, African and me, so-called modernity is the biggest challenge as a civilization. But here we go.

In this play, writer Primo Levi and former Red Cross member Maurice Rossel engage in a never-to-be-lived conversation about their experiences at Auschwitz. One as a prisoner and the other as a member of an international NGO with two very different views on what happened there.

90 percent of what is said in the game is true. Primo Levi had left these remarks in his writings and Rossel in a documentary, but it’s true that the two never met and there was no opportunity to confront each other’s vision. Rossel was in Auschwitz, but his job was to ensure that the Geneva Convention was respected. One of those arrested was Levi. But the Holocaust went far beyond all that, it was the greatest perversion in human history. There have been many bloody battles, but there has not been such a systematic extermination of others of this size. Not wanting to spoil it, the big key to the feature, or reveal, is that something as horrific as the Holocaust happens because so many normal people look the other way. After all, the great misfortune is that there are many people who are aware that something might happen and look the other way.

With events as dire as those that happened and are happening today, is there room for forgiveness and reconciliation?

Forgiveness is the only possible way. This is when someone at some point ceases to avenge their dead. If not, the spiral is infinite. Hate is much stronger than love.

The piece was written by one filmmaker Felipe Vega and directed by another, Manuel Martín Cuenca, and you are more of a movie actor. Wouldn’t it be better if you made a movie?

That’s what I call it, cobbler (laughs). Making a movie in the theater did not happen. After all these years, Martin Cuenca and I are friends, we worked a lot together, and we talk about doing theatre. we tried with public enemyOh we didn’t. He talked about it with Felipe Vega during the pandemic, dramatized this so-called encounter, and this work, which for me was a documentary theater, was made.

He took his first step into the theater in 2008. fantastic tavern, Performed in 2012 grumpy and now it meets the tables again. How can this relationship with theater be compared to cinema?

Every day is a function and something different. It’s frustrating because people are coughing or your cell phone is ringing and you’re losing concentration. But emotion as an actor, well, I don’t know, there’s part of the nurturing ego. It’s like tossed a coin, if it lands heads and comes right out, you’re happy. But years ago I knew more about the public reaction, now I try to do my best and try not to believe it too much if people are happy. When you see your face on the screen, do not think that the cinema is not a risk, that you can be seen to the fullest. There is always a risk in any exhibition. Everything done face to face…

Is it necessary for an actor to return to the theater often because it is like the core of the business?

I don’t know, everyone should develop the acting experience they want. Also what you should eat. It’s beautiful as an artistic experience. Also, because I’m in the 8% of the privileged group that does whatever we want in my profession. I’ve had the best and the worst. Moments of great triumph, moments of unanimous applause, and moments of “Antonio de la Torre let me down”. If you don’t get excited, you’ve already reached a state where your non-excitement draws attention. This is life. You should distance yourself from it because unless you are a prisoner of the judgments of others.

He has two Goyas, but his achievement being the most nominated actor for these awards, 14 in total. Does it make any sense or is it just a number?

I do not know. It’s so exciting when you tell it, but then you’re up to date, which by chance sends me somewhere else, puts you in your place.

After that a passing man Is Antonio de la Torre returning to the cinema?

Yes, now on November 28, Ces Gay’s choir movie is in theaters. stories to tell, and some projects will come out next year.

And the show isn’t knocking on your door?

Things turned out, but it’s harder to reconcile. Finally, you need to be with your family. I have two kids, 11 and 6 years old, and you are enjoying the privilege of being able to choose.

You are a journalist and worked in some media organizations. If you were still exercising today, what news would you like to deliver?

A global agreement where borders disappear. And as a sub-title: This measure aims to effectively address the pressing problems of humanity. Or a big step forward in tackling humanity’s great challenge. Something like this.