At the Cannes Film Festival, filmmaker Ari Aster joined the cast of Eddington to discuss the timely and provocative themes the film explores about America’s social and political climate. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Michael Ward, and Luke Grimes, the film premiered Friday night to an engaged audience, followed by a press conference on Saturday.
A Story Set Amid Pandemic and Political Turmoil
Eddington unfolds in May 2020 within a fictional small town in New Mexico. The story centers on Sheriff Joe Cross, portrayed by Phoenix, who challenges the incumbent mayor, Ted Garcia, played by Pedro Pascal. Garcia’s character is deeply conscious of the COVID-19 crisis, while Cross’s campaign intensifies amid a nation gripped by pandemic chaos. The narrative mirrors real-world upheavals: escalating right-wing conspiracy theories, nationwide racial justice protests ignited by George Floyd’s death, and the fracturing of trust fueled by social media and relentless news cycles.
Ari Aster on the Film’s Urgency and Message
Speaking candidly at Cannes, Ari Aster revealed Eddington was born from a place of deep anxiety. “I wrote this film during a time when fear about the world was overwhelming,” Aster said. “I wanted to capture what it’s like to live in a moment where reality itself is under siege.” He further described America’s cultural state as one plagued by hyper-individualism, warning that “we’re on a dangerous road” and emphasizing the urgent need for collective empathy and connection. “There’s a growing sense of powerlessness and fear,” he added, underscoring the film’s cautionary tone.
Pedro Pascal’s Perspective: Eddington as a Wake-Up Call
Pedro Pascal, who plays Mayor Ted Garcia, praised Aster’s role as a “whistleblower” exposing the fractures within the U.S. “It’s rare to have a voice from the inside shedding light on these complex social and political dynamics,” Pascal noted. Reflecting on his immigrant background – he and his family fled Chile’s dictatorship – Pascal spoke about the challenges facing Latin American immigrants in today’s political landscape. “I stand by the protections that keep people safe,” he said, acknowledging the fear surrounding deportation policies without delving deeply into political specifics.
Confronting Fear and Censorship Through Storytelling
When asked about concerns regarding potential backlash for tackling controversial subjects, Pascal responded with defiance: “Fear is the way they win. Keep telling the stories and keep expressing yourself. People who try to intimidate you – forget them.” His remarks drew applause, emphasizing the resilience and responsibility of artists in confronting difficult truths.
Emma Stone and Pedro Pascal on the Film’s Reflection of Reality
Both Stone and Pascal expressed how Eddington resonated with their anxieties about the current state of the country and digital misinformation. Pascal described the movie as a manifestation of “all my worst fears realized,” especially regarding the blurring of reality during the pandemic lockdown. Stone highlighted the unsettling experience of algorithms pushing disturbing content, noting, “Once you start searching, you find more and more, and it feeds into itself.”
Reception and Reflections Post-Premiere
The premiere of Eddington at Cannes was met with a respectful yet muted reaction, including a notable five-minute standing ovation—one of the longer ones of the festival. Joaquin Phoenix, visibly emotional, received warm applause from the Lumiere theater audience. After the screening, Ari Aster expressed gratitude and a mix of emotions. “I don’t know what to say or think,” he admitted. “This is a dream come true,” he added with a self-deprecating laugh.