Bardem: We all carry a burden we must lighten for our children

Javier Bardem returns to Spanish cinema in "El ser querido," directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, where he embodies an absent father.

"We all have a story, a backpack, and it's up to us to remove the weights we don't want for our children," Bardem told EFE. He believes this involves deep self-reflection and acknowledging that one doesn't have all the answers.

Bardem sees his character as someone striving for improvement but lacking the emotional tools for apology or accountability due to his upbringing. The film, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival before its Spanish release, delves into the generational struggles and the profound impact of parental absence.

"That's the generational problem he suffered, that he wasn't educated to be aware of the pain he can cause," Bardem explained, highlighting the character's internal conflict and the legacy of his past.