A member of Mexico’s most famous acting family, Bruno Bichir has built a long and solid career in film, theater, and television as one of the most respected actors in Mexican cinema.
- A member of Mexico’s most famous acting family, Bruno Bichir has built a long and solid career in film, theater, and television as one of the most respected actors in Mexican cinema.
- Synopsis.
- Bruno, why were you captivated by this film?
- Although the film has moments of genuine splendor, Bichir assures:
- What did it mean to you to be part of a star-studded cast with Jennifer López and Ben Affleck among its executive producers?
By Rossana Azuero – Photos Courtesy of Isabel Del Villar
Bruno is part of the star-studded cast of Kiss of the Spider Woman, playing the prison warden.
Synopsis.
Kiss of the Spider Woman follows Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner, and Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two share a cell in a hostile environment where imagination becomes their refuge.
Through passionate storytelling, Molina transports Valentín into the world of a musical starring his favorite diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer López).
Kiss of the Spider Woman is a musical film, but it is also a story about political prisoners, injustice, and a bond formed in one of the most unexpected places.
Bruno, why were you captivated by this film?
“Exactly for that reason.
I had a fascination, a very particular interest in this text, from the novel to the play, and I stopped there, but then I was struck by Héctor Babenco’s film, which offers an extraordinary interpretation with Molina, Raúl Julia, and Sônia Braga. Remembering and understanding that film, the most interesting thing is that it’s an independent, Brazilian movie.
Now, in English, exploring new paths of noise and resonance, and entering Hollywood’s front door with this story, I think it’s fundamental at this historical moment for the planet, the United States, and Latin America. It touches on the turbulent world we live in, which is engulfed in flames, with the United States lurching in ways that are hard to believe.
And Latin America—surprisingly, Argentina is still flirting with the darkest right-wing forces—so being able to tell this story through a musical, which would be unthinkable in a sane mind, and having it come from such talented creators with such a strong connection to the audience, seems extremely important to me.
And let’s not even talk about how iconic it is for Latinos to tell Latino stories, even though the film is directed by Bill Condon. The fact that Jennifer, Diego, Tonatiuh, and I are part of it speaks volumes about the project in terms of representation. All of that caught my attention.”
Although the film has moments of genuine splendor, Bichir assures:
“In my role as the prison director, I think those are the most realistic scenes. Though they lack splendor, that’s precisely where their impact lies—they’re stripped of any filter, relatively cold. Almost like a piece of a documentary.”
What did it mean to you to be part of a star-studded cast with Jennifer López and Ben Affleck among its executive producers?
“It’s deeply moving because it’s what you aim for when you try to break into the U.S. industry. It doesn’t matter what the project is—breaking into the American audience is surprising and impactful.
Moreover, working with creators who are so serious, committed, rigorous, and imaginative is a delight.
I’ve known Diego for many, many years. I admire and love him. He’s more than accustomed to this type of project and has a supremely beautiful career.
Jennifer is in a spectacular moment—I wouldn’t call it a comeback because she never left, but it’s a new chapter in her career. And Tonatiuh gave his all as an artist.
From the moment this film was proposed to me, I didn’t hesitate. And since I know it will be mentioned, awarded, or recognized, these names will be brought up again and again.”
You’ve been part of many films. In the universe of this movie, created by writer Bill Condon, what do you think as an actor about the achievement of bringing a classic of the theater to the big screen?
“It’s not just necessary—it’s pertinent, it’s fundamental. Bill is no stranger to this experience; I’ve already seen him write with great recognition, adapting the musical Chicago for the big screen.
Now, being the captain of the ship, I think he deserves it. It was the logical path in a life dedicated to flirting with the performing arts, as Bill has done. It will bear great fruit because he’s a splendid filmmaker.
I get very emotional when creativity is recognized, not necessarily by critics or peers through awards, but by the cinema itself, which already has a place in universal film history.
This film will surely endure for a long time, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
RossanaAzu@aol.com
