Benicio del Toro, the Oscar-winning star of 'The Usual Suspects,' 'Traffic,' and 'Sicario,' was a guest of honor at this year's Lumière Film Festival in Lyon. During his masterclass, the 57-year-old actor discussed his career, touching on his role in 'Sicario' and how director Dennis Villeneuve views it as more about borders than drugs. This led to a broader conversation about how US politicians have used borders to politicize immigration.
With the US elections just weeks away, del Toro emphasized: 'You can't group people and say they are all bad... People trying to reach America are seeking to improve their lives due to issues in their hometowns. They aim to better their lives. However, borders must be respected.' He continued, 'When you categorize people and treat them as subhuman, that's truly frightening. I don't believe in treating anyone as less than human due to their skin color, religion, or origin.'
Del Toro also addressed the dominance of streaming platforms, saying, 'When change occurs, I'm all for it. There's more opportunity now for those interested in film and storytelling.' He acknowledged the benefits of streaming, despite his preference for traditional cinema, stating, 'I would be a hypocrite to say it doesn't work because I've participated in it and enjoyed it.'
Reflecting on his early career, del Toro mentioned his role in the 1989 James Bond film 'License to Kill.' He humorously responded to the question of becoming the next Bond, saying, 'Yeah, sure – I'll take it!'
For aspiring actors, del Toro advised, 'Get lost – meaning don't follow a set path and don't worry about getting lost. But practically, I suggest reading and understanding that the actor tells the story,' referencing his training under Stella Adler.
Del Toro also discussed method acting and whether it can be taken too far, using his weight gain for 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' as an example. He concluded, 'Gaining or losing weight doesn't make an actor. Acting is a different skill.'
The masterclass also delved into the drug and cartel drama sub-genre, with del Toro noting, 'I became an actor during a time when the war on drugs was a significant issue. These stories explore the human condition, including greed and love.'
Finally, del Toro expressed interest in directing, inspired by his collaborations with renowned filmmakers like Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino. 'As I get older, there's a challenge in directing that encourages me to take the risk. So yes, one day...' The Lumière Film Festival continues until October 20th.
