Joaquin Phoenix is returning to the scene of the crime. Or, without waxing lyrical, he is teaming up with the director who kickstarted his career. 23 years after bringing Commodus to life in Gladiator, Phoenix joins forces with Ridley Scott once again for Napoleon, stepping into the shoes of the French Emperor himself.
This film represents yet another bold venture in cinema's ongoing pursuit —from Abel Gance's opulent portrayal in 1927 to Stanley Kubrick's failed endeavor— to capture the essence of power, grandeur, and the inevitable downfall of the military general. And at its heart lies an actor determined to be the most intense, the most humble, the most superb, and the most Phoenix-like. Equally adept at flawlessly reproducing Johnny Cash's voice as at transforming himself into a gaunt figure portraying a troubled individual with delusions, now he ascends to the peak only to let himself fall.
Phoenix receives EL MUNDO in a Madrid hotel, seemingly against his wishes. "I had hoped to rent an apartment with my wife, explore the city, and sit down with you there. However, the relentless intrusion of paparazzi and autograph-seekers has made it impossible even to step outside the hotel," he explains.
- There seems to be a perennial obsession with the character of Napoleon. What is it that fascinates us so much about him, or better yet, what fascinates you?
- Every culture sees his character differently, yet nobody finds him irrelevant. There's always something fascinating about someone who comes from nothing; he wasn't born into royalty. If he had been born a year earlier, he would've been Italian. His mother carried him during the Corsican Revolution; he climbed France's political ladder. He wasn't noble enough, so he crafted his titles. But above all, there's something in us that easily identifies with a story whose lesson seems universal. He wielded an ego and an energy that allowed him to achieve great things and propel our species forward. That primal drive resonates with us.
- Until he decided to conquer the world...
- At what point does everything go awry? That's the question that I've asked myself since I was cast in the role. There was an emptiness and a self-destructive impulsive in him, one that's glaringly familiar in many people.
- What does portraying a character about whom practically everything has been written and said bring to an actor of your position and prestige?
- In reality, as an actor it's more challenging and carries more responsibility if you portray a modern figure who is still alive or has living relatives. Despite all that has been written about Napoleon, even academics clash over certain events in his life. I won't be blamed for other people's inaccuracies. When I step into Napoleon's shoes, I don't seek information, I seek inspiration. I'm more concerned about finding narratives that appeal to me and pique my curiosity than being wholly true to the facts. I recall historical advisors in my dressing room disputing script details. But it's not about telling the whole truth; it's about enhancing the story.
- Recently, Ridley Scott sparked controversy likening Napoleon to Hitler and Stalin. Would you be inclined to agree?
- I wasn't aware of that controversy. This is the first time that I'm hearing about it. Let me preface my answer by saying that I'm no expert on Hitler or Stalin, but there's something that set Napoleon apart from the two: how he handled betrayal. He didn't execute those who betrayed him; he valued the act. Napoleon believed if someone dared to betray, they'd do anything — a quality he sought among his own. There's a poignant story about Josephine's betrayal, where despite her actions, he understood if she risked everything — her position and wealth — she truly was in love and he devoted himself entirely to her.
- The Joker's become a defining character of your career. Dare you compare Napoleon to him?
- They are, in a sense, polar opposites, but they share the need to transcend their own lives. Both realize that life cannot only be about sleeping, eating, and having sex. I understand that this impulse is part of every human being, but in them, it's exaggerated. We all seek to be part of something bigger; at some point, we're all capable of recognizing a connection with the people, animals, and plants around us. It's not about religion, it's a fundamental connection. The key is transcending the ordinary.
- Your Oscar speech highlighted gender inequality, racism, and animal rights. Yet, since then, we've endured a pandemic and we find ourselves embroiled in two wars, one in Ukraine and another in Palestine... It doesn't seem like your admonition had much of an effect...
- It's clear that something isn't working. From the outside looking in, an actor discussing such pressing global issues may sound facile. But I can't help but think of people like Gandhi or Martin Luther King, proponents of nonviolence, who fell victim to extreme violence. Somehow, they found a way to remain true to themselves in the face of adversity. Real change can't come from politics or religion — a deeper shift in consciousness is needed. Nonviolence, I believe, is crucial. We've tried everything and failed. Perhaps that's our fate; we're incapable of solving our problems. We know that wars don't solve anything, yet we persist in them time and again. It's clear that they're profitable for some.
- On more than one occasion, you've spoken about your obligation as a public figure to give a voice to those who don't have one...
- Most people think it's easier and more profitable to stay silent, and they're probably right. It's safer. But I think I'd worry more about staying silent than speaking my mind. I'm of the opinion that one should speak from experience, yet sometimes it can be healthy to say whatever the hell you want and not think about the consequences. It's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. It's okay to have different opinions and learn from those of others. We need to encourage conversation and dialogue, not silence.
Read the original interview in Spanish here.