On Saturday night, Andrew Garfield elegantly graced the vibrant red carpet of the San Sebastian Film Festival, as his latest cinematic endeavor, "We Live in Time," drew the curtains on this prestigious coastal event. Accompanied not by his on-screen partner Florence Pugh, but by the esteemed director John Crowley, Garfield's presence was nothing short of captivating.
Set in the bustling south of London, "We Live in Time," an out-of-competition romantic drama, weaves a tale of an aspiring chef and a recently divorced woman who, amidst life's twists and turns, find solace in each other's arms, even welcoming a new life into their midst. However, their idyllic existence is shaken to its core when a devastating late-stage cancer diagnosis threatens to unravel all they've built.
In an exclusive sit-down with The Hollywood Reporter, Garfield, now 41, opened up about his return to the silver screen after a two-year hiatus. "I feel liberated, less encumbered," he confessed. "There's a newfound joy and awareness within me. I've found my footing, both as a person and as an actor, and it brings me immense pleasure to embrace this journey."
Reflecting on his collaboration with Pugh, Garfield delved into the intimacy required for their roles, remarking, "With a script of this depth, we ventured into the most intimate realms of human emotion. One particular scene, where I had to be inches from her as she lay naked, on all fours in a petrol station, was daunting for anyone, but especially for her. It takes a special bond to traverse such territories."
San Sebastian shone brighter than ever this year, with Hollywood heavyweights like Cate Blanchett, Javier Bardem, and Johnny Depp gracing its red carpet outside the iconic Kursaal Theater. Other notable screenings, including Edward Berger's "Conclave," Francis Ford Coppola's highly anticipated "Megalopolis," and Sean Baker's "Anora," drew the crème de la crème of the film industry to Spain.
During one of the festival's insightful panels, Christine Vachon of Killer Films, a long-time collaborator of Todd Haynes, shared her heartfelt perspective on a project that never saw the light of day due to Joaquin Phoenix's departure. "The thought that years of tireless work with Joaquin resulted in nothing but a void—that's where the true tragedy lies," she lamented. "As a cultural community, we lost the chance to witness another masterpiece from Todd Haynes. It's a crime, pure and simple."
Meanwhile, Depp's premiere of "Modi — Three Days on the Wing of Madness," a biographical exploration of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, saw the actor draw parallels between his own tumultuous life and that of his subject. Amidst laughter from the packed press room, Depp quipped about his own public trials, alluding to his defamation suit following his split from Amber Heard. "Each character has a story to tell, and I'm sure we can all relate to experiencing our own share of drama. Mine, however, might have been a bit more...televised," he joked.
Earlier in the week, Bardem, on the eve of receiving the prestigious Donostia Award for his acting achievements, used his platform to condemn the Israeli government's actions under Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly the ongoing airstrikes in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. "I am overjoyed to receive this award, but my heart is heavy with the news from Gaza," he solemnly stated. "What's happening there is unacceptable, a dehumanizing act that cannot be ignored."
The San Sebastian Film Festival ran from September 20th to the 28th, leaving an indelible mark on the film world. For a comprehensive coverage of the event, be sure to check out The Hollywood Reporter's dedicated coverage.
