Pedro Pascal Tells Cannes: “Fight Back” Against Trump-Era Fear
Cannes, France – May 19, 2025 – Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal took a bold political stance during the Cannes Film Festival, urging filmmakers to push back against fear and political intimidation, particularly in the face of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and cultural rhetoric.
While promoting Eddington, a pandemic-era Western directed by Ari Aster, Pascal emphasized the importance of storytelling as a tool for resistance.
“F*** the people that try to make you scared. And fight back. This is the perfect way to do so in telling stories. Don’t let them win,” said Pascal, 50, following the film’s premiere.
A Personal Stand Against Political Oppression
Pascal, born in Chile to refugee parents who fled Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship, expressed personal concern over Trump’s anti-immigration stance, which includes detaining legal residents and efforts to shut down migration.
“I’m an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile. We fled a dictatorship,” Pascal said. “I was privileged to grow up in the U.S. after asylum in Denmark. I stand by those needing protection, always.”
Despite hesitating to comment directly on policy for fear of repercussions, Pascal’s remarks reflected deep unease with the political climate, noting how fear is used as a weapon to silence voices in film and culture.
Trump’s Tariff Threat on Foreign Films Sparks Cannes Outcry
The political tension intensified earlier this month when Trump proposed 100% tariffs on foreign-made films, drawing sharp criticism from global filmmakers and actors at Cannes.
Director Ari Aster, who joined Pascal and co-star Joaquin Phoenix, echoed the concern:
“We’re on a dangerous road, and I feel like we’re living through an experiment that’s gone wrong.”
Hollywood icon Robert De Niro also weighed in during the festival, urging industry peers to resist “America’s philistine president” in a fiery acceptance speech.
Inside ‘Eddington’: A Reflection of American Turmoil
Eddington, starring Pascal, Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler, explores a fictional New Mexico town grappling with COVID-19 tensions, Black Lives Matter protests, and political division.
Set for a U.S. release on July 18, the film aims to reflect the emotional and cultural upheaval of recent years in America. Aster, known for psychological thrillers like Hereditary and Midsommar, described Eddington as a “snapshot of a society in crisis.”
Final Thoughts
As political rhetoric surrounding immigration, art, and cultural policy heats up in the U.S., Cannes 2025 has become a stage not just for cinema but for creative defiance. Pascal’s passionate plea is a reminder that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools in fighting injustice and preserving truth.
