PENELOPE Cruz and Antonio Banderas rip into their own industry with abandon in their new film "Official Competition", which left critics in stitches Saturday at the Venice Film Festival.
The film, directed by the Argentine duo of Mariano Cohn and Gaston Dupra, misses no opportunities to skewer showbiz quirks and excesses.
From actors with fragile egos and petty rivalries, to directors who use unconventional methods to prod their actors like making them rehearse underneath a five-tonne rock to increase dramatic tension the satire is the ultimate insider's guide to the worst of movie-making.
"It was really liberating, really fun," Cruz told journalists in Venice.
She plays an eccentric, bohemian director seeking to impose her vision on her two leading men, whose gigantic egos immediately clash.
Banderas brilliantly lampoons himself as a top Latin film star who has made it big in Hollywood, while Oscar Martinez plays a respected theatre actor who thinks himself too serious for trashy blockbusters.
"Art, that's the theme," said Banderas. "To be able to ridicule the excesses that in some way are used to arrive at art."
Martinez confessed the cast had a hard time keeping a straight face during filming: "We had so much fun sometimes we had to stop the sequence."
- Provoking performances -
Cruz's character, who has a mane of frizzy red hair, puts her actors through hell in rehearsals.
In one scene, as the mutual animosity of the two wildly contrasting actors is at its apex, she literally encases them together in plastic wrap to increase their interdependence and bond.
In another rehearsal, the two actors hurl increasingly over-the-top expletives at each other to tap into their rage.
"There were so many bad words, insults, cursing that I think at some point we had to write them down," Banderas told reporters.
"I think some of them were really unbelievable, there are things I heard on the streets of Malaga and started throwing them out there was a little bit of improvisation."
Cruz was careful to caution that the cast and directors of "Official Competition" were not out to offend the industry in which they work.
"It's a tribute to our profession. At no time is it a parody, nor is it disrespectful to the actor," said Cruz.
Banderas, meanwhile, hastened to set one thing straight about the narcissistic character he plays.
"Some writers might hint at it. But he in the film is not me."
ETX Studio
Sun Sep 05 2021
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz and Spanish actor Antonio Banderas. - ETX Studio
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.