STRANGE WAY OF LIFE
Section: Special Screenings
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Screenwriter: Pedro Almodovar
Logline: Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal play onetime lovers who are reunited for a night of passion after 25 years. Sheriff Jake (Hawke) was once a hired gunfighter along with Mexican-born Silva (Pascal). At one time they wanted to just fade into the sunset together, but that dream never materialized and they went their separate ways. While on a specific mission, Silva stops by for a visit with his old friend, both now in their 50s. When morning comes Jake’s demeanor has noticeably changed and suddenly he is back to business: a search to bring in someone thought to be Silva’s son who is wanted for murder.
Panelist: Pedro Almodovar
Premiered: Saturday, May 20
Key Quote: “I don’t visualize the faces, the colors, the style until I have finished the script. The script is always the first stone and just then immediately appears the faces, the type of actors – everything – and also visually, I feel out what kind of movie I want to do. Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke were my first choice. Fortunately, I knew them personally so I could call them and send them directly the script; and they just answered me the same day. They were very enthusiastic. It gives you a lot of confidence when someone reacts like that. It was the fastest casting that I did and also the more appropriate because I wanted two actors at that age, but very different, even different cultures, different origins and physically different. It was a chemistry that immediately appeared.” — Pedro Almodovar
Click above to watch the interview.
The 2023 Cannes Film Festival runs May 16-27. Follow Deadline’s complete coverage of the deals and doings on the Croisette here.
