The arrival of Richard Gere The Carlos V Palace of Granada has been an event. The actor, awarded this year with the International Goya, is already in the city and has taken advantage of his stay in the capital of the Alhambra to visit with his wife, the Spanish Alejandra Silva, the monumental complex and offer a press conference.
With her he has enjoyed the gallant of the winter sun that caresses the reddish walls of the Alhambra. The unmistakable silhouette of the protagonist of Officer and gentleman It is something more hunched over by age. His silver hair, that which in the 1980s turned into a world fashion, shone under the light of sunset. He has arrived in Granada to receive the recognition that celebrates not only his film career, but also his commitment to humanitarian causes. But, as if the burden of the dark times he mentions weigh on his shoulders, the actor seems somewhat more reflective, even serious, while traveling through the palace of Carlos V. Before journalists and in front of the majestic Renaissance space, Gere stops, breathes, breathes Hondo and offers a warm, almost shy smile: “Good afternoon to all. This is fantastic,” he says in a Castilian with a marked but endeavored accent, causing smiles among those present. Immediately, his words become a tribute to Spanish culture. Still the beauty of Granada, the depth of Spanish cinema, the warmth of the people, but also confesses: “I still have a lot to learn from your country.”
However, the light and friendly atmosphere of the initial conversation gives way to something denser when they turn to the situation of their native country, United States. Gere sighs deeply before speaking, as if he needed to gather strength to address an issue that worries it deeply: the presidency of Donald Trump. “There is no kind way to say it. They are dark times. The world is at risk,” It begins, with a look that seems to look for something beyond the hills that surround the Alhambra. Gere explains that not only him, but his wife, the Spanish activist Alejandra Silva, are in shock for what happens in her country. “People voted it, he chose him president, but no one believed that he was going to fulfill what he promised. He is being much worse than we imagined. It is as if we lived in the deepest darkness,” He confesses, and for a moment his face loses that almost Buddhist serenity that characterizes him. The actor, who since the seventies has combined his Hollywood career with intense political and social activism, details the decisions that most alarm it. “One of the most important humanitarian programs we had, the fight against AIDS in Africa, has disappeared. Something that saved millions of lives has been destroyed. This is not political, it is pure irresponsibility, a dark marriage between power and money that He is damaging not only to the United States, but the entire world. “
Gere’s words are not those of an actor who repeats phrases carefully made by a press team. Talk to the intensity of who really feels what he says, measuring every word but without fear being clear: “A few days ago I talked to a young Hungarian who told me how Viktor Orbán He has led Hungary along a similar path. He told me that Americans must be vigilant, because this is not just an attack on democratic values, it is something that affects all humanity. “
Gere insists that decisions taken by current leaders are putting not only the American political system, but also to global stability. His outrage, however, is not impulsive or chaotic; He is impregnated with the calm that gives him decades of activism and his Buddhist practice. “There are times when it seems that the noise of these dangerous clowns – because that is what they are, dangerous clowns – drowns any possibility of rational dialogue. But we must resist. We cannot afford to give ourselves.” The actor, who founded the Gere Foundation more than 30 years ago, It underlines the importance of acting in the face of injustice. His words seem a call to action, although not from violence, but from surveillance and commitment. “Power and money are controlling everything, even the decisions of the parliamentarians, but this does not mean that we should stay with crossed arms. As dark as the panorama is, there is always a light at the end of the road.”
Receiving the International Goya is, for Richard Gere, a recognition not only to his artistic career, but also to that facet that has led him to fight for the Tibet, to defend the rights of homeless people and to support environmental conservation projects : “The cinema has given me a lot, but it has also allowed me to be in a position where I can do something for others,” he says humbly.
Confesses that you would like to work in Spain
The prize comes at a special moment of his career: this year five decades have been fulfilled since Gere debuted in the cinema. Movies like American Gigolo, Officer and Caballero, Pretty Woman o Chicago They made him a global icon, a gallant who transcended the screen thanks to his charisma and talent. But Gere never settled to be just a Hollywood star. From a young age, his life was marked by a spiritual search that led him to practice Buddhism and become one of the most visible defenders of Tibet’s autonomy: “I am not perfect, nor do I intend to be. I have made mistakes, like everyone else But I think the important thing is to learn from them and try to make the world a better place, “he says, while his gaze seems to get lost in the columns of the Palace of Carlos V.
Since his arrival in Spain last fall, Gere has found in our country more than a home: “Spain has a special energy. There is a depth here, a connection with the land and with the traditions that I find very inspiring,” he says . Granada, in particular, seems to have left a lasting impression on the actor: “The Alhambra is a magical place. Walking here makes you feel small, but in a beautiful way. It is as if the story hugs you and reminds you that we are only A small chapter in something much bigger. ” Gere confesses that he would like to work in Spanish cinema, although he acknowledges that he still has a lot to learn. “I know you have great directors and actors. I hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with them and be part of your industry,” he says, suggesting that his love for Spain is not something passenger.
At the end of the press conference, Gere says goodbye to journalists with a smile and sincere thanks: “Thank you for giving me this space to share what I feel. I know that the world seems like a difficult place at this time, but I think we can overcome any darkness.” While moving through the halls of the palace, the echo of his steps is mixed with the voices of the journalists who still comment on his words. Richard Gere, that gallant who once conquered Hollywood with his charm and elegance, has become something else: a voice that claims for justice in dark times. Granada, with its golden light and its ancient history, seems the perfect place to receive it, reminding us that, even in the most difficult moments, there is always space for beauty, reflection and hope.
