Spanish actor Javier Bardem poses during a photocall of the film "El ser querido" (The Beloved) in Cannes, southern France. (May 17, 2026)
Javier Bardem says Gaza “genocide” ongoing
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Gaza took center stage at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday as Spanish actor Javier Bardem used a press conference to condemn what he described as the “toxic masculinity” driving the war in the Palestinian territory.
Bardem, who is earning strong reviews for his role in The Beloved, sharply criticized US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying such leadership was responsible for wars causing mass civilian deaths.
The comments came as Bardem promoted the film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to widespread critical praise.
In the film, directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Bardem portrays an overbearing director with an explosive temper.
At the press conference, Bardem said the same toxic masculinity behind violence against women also fuels armed conflicts.
“The big boss man saying, ‘My c**k is bigger than yours and I’m going to bomb the s**t out of you,’” Bardem said, arguing that such attitudes were “creating thousands of dead people.”
Bardem, one of the most vocal film stars condemning ‘Israel’s’ war on Gaza since 2023, said genocidal crimes were “still being committed” in the territory.
"In Gaza, there has been, and is still being committed, a genocide. It is a fact," Bardem told reporters.
“It’s a fact. You can try to justify it, explain it, but it’s a fact. If you justify it with your silence or your support, you are pro-genocide. Those are facts for me,” he said.
View this post on Instagram
According to the Gaza’s health ministry, ‘Israel’s’ military assault on Gaza has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, with more than half reported to be women and children. I
‘Israel’ rejects accusations of genocide and says its military assault followed the Hamas-led attack on ‘Israel’ in 2023 that killed 1,221 people, according to a tally based on ‘Israeli’ figures.
Bardem's remarks at Cannes are part of his long-standing, public opposition. Over the past few years, the actor has consistently used high-profile platforms to call for a ceasefire:
Bardem previously denounced the "dehumanizing" assault at the San Sebastian Film Festival, signed open letters criticizing the Berlin Film Festival's perceived neutrality, and wore a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh on the red carpet at the 2025 Emmy Awards.
Speaking to AFP, Bardem said he has continued to secure major film roles despite his outspoken criticism of ‘Israel’s’ actions in Gaza, which he said reflected a shift in public understanding of the war.
Other prominent cinema figures, including Susan Sarandon, have previously said their careers were affected after publicly denouncing ‘Israel’s’ actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
