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This article was originally published in May out of the Cannes Film Festival.
We are recirculating it now, timed toStrange Way of Lifes theatrical debut.
We all felt like the hunchback of Notre-Dame.
When you see the young actors together, all of them, its like a beauty contest.
Some friends of mine afterward sent me a message: Pedro, this is like the cover ofPlaygirl.
I want to hear both of your stories about getting cast.
Oh, they gave you the older version of your characters scenes?J.F.:Yes!
The first time, I did it with another actor and then with Jose.
And we didnt know one another, but we just went and did this whole script in one go.
And it was instantly amazing like gold.
Jose Condessa: It was incredible.
Why was that, do you think?J.C.
:I think because we didnt know each other.
He instantly made me comfortable.
Jose had so much truth in his eyes and his expressions.
Im looking forward to that day.
- When did you find out that you were cast and that it was Pedros movie?J.F.
Three or four weeks later.
Jose knew it was Pedro and didnt tell me!
J.C.:Because Im a Portuguese actor, I had to move to Madrid for this.
- So they had to tell me before I did that.
I wasnt told.
My agent knew but elected not to tell me.
Were you both fans before?
What are your favorites?J.C.
I dont know they are very different moments in my life.
But probablyTodo Sobre Mi Madre.
- That touched my heart deeply.J.F.
I called Pedro Pascal on Zoom.
- He helped me a lot with the Mexican accent.
I met Ethan in person.
I watched his films.
He sent me an audiobook.
We had loads of conversations.
My character is a hired gun, then a sheriff, so hes a completely different person.
- What sort of rehearsing did you do?J.F.
We did a lot of rehearsals.
We had to create all of what they lived before and after.
J.C.:And we had fittings, too.
Lots of hours together.
Which was really cool for our relationship.
He knows what he wants, and he tells you.
J.C.:But hes open to listening.
As a young actor, thats incredible.
I asked Almodovar if it was possible to improve the moment.
Then I thought,What a terrible idea, to tell Almodovar what I want.
And he looked at my eyes, and he said, Okay, its a good idea.
Lets do it and changed everything to do that moment.
Because its not just an Almodovar film; its our film.
How choreographed was the scene itself?J.F.
We knew it had to be animalistic.
But that brute way in which theyre drinking and fighting suddenly it turns from animalistic into passion.
They pause, look at one another, and feel something deeper.
Theyve tested it out, and now theres this feeling.
- How many takes did you then do, and how long were you both on set?J.F.
I think two.
It was just a day.
J.C.: Right after, Jason told me he didnt remember the scene.
:As soon as I finished the scene, I said
J.C.: Did we kiss?
I said, Yeah!
We spent ten minutes kissing.
- I guess it wasnt good.
I cant remember.
Did you put your tongue in my mouth?
Youre just so much in the present.
You forget everything around you just trust, and touch, and go naked with your feelings.
It was my first time kissing a man.
Jose, was it your first time, too?J.F.
:No, hes a pro!
J.C.:Onscreen, yeah.
Not in real life.
So do you both identify as straight?
This will be disappointing to a lot of people in that audience.J.C.
- :[Both laughing]Yes.
But you always open up!
So far, Im straight.
But I believe more in people rather than labels.
Ive felt attracted to men, actually, but I havent been with a man yet.
Jose, whats your memory of filming the scene since Jason blocked it out?J.C.
:We had an objective, and we went for it.
- The Saint Laurent costumes and how they factor into the scene is so fun.
Too tight or too drunk![Laughs.]
It could be both; people saw it both ways.
For us, it was like,Ehh, Im too drunk.
- Was that moment written in the script?J.C.
It was Almodovars idea in the moment.
Its special because we understand, at that point, its not just about sex.
If they cant get in, its okay.
- Because theyre in love.J.C.
We laugh, smile, and our eyes bring you into that love.
[Steane and Rios sit down.]
Were just talking about the belts.George Steane: Sexy!
Which character do you think loves the other the most?
- J.C.: I think I love the most.
Maybe in the moment youre more passionate.
But my character actually feels.
:I actually did my casting in person.
My agent called me and said, Youre going to Pedros office.
I just literally went to Pedros office, and he told me, Read these lines.
You speak English, right?
Manu Rios: Mine was so secretive.
What has it been like for all of you to be at Cannes?
- Whats been the most surreal moment?J.F.
I think its the red carpet for me.
Were trying to enjoy the present and then later, at home, well think about it.
J.C.:Tomorrow when I go home, its going to be different.
Now, its like Im dreaming.
Look where you are.
- Its like,Wow, Im at Cannes, surrounded by amazing people, with Almodovar.
And Catherine Deneuve!
Did you meet her?
Did she see the film?G.S.
:Im not sure she did.
I just told her she looked sublime.
And she just waved back at me.
Shed heard it all before, you know?
Have the four of you stayed friends since filming?
- Have you seen each other again before this premiere?M.R.
This is the first time were all spending time together, sharing the same emotions.
We didnt all meet on set.
We met at rehearsals and the photo shoot, but thats it.
:But we get along pretty good.
:Its nice to put away egos and all come here as a team.
We know were in a new place; nobody has been here before.
Were all ready to learn, and thats brought us together.
:Were like kids.
:Living a dream.
Well, Im 28, so Im the daddy.
