Javier Bardem walked the red carpet wearing a Kefier scarf at the 2025 Emmy Awards, expressing his support for Palestinian film workers. Speaking to Variety’s Mark Malkin, Bardem said, “We cannot work with anyone who justifies or supports genocide.”
“I’m denounced Gaza’s genocide today,” he told Malkin on the red carpet. “I’m talking about IAGS. This is the International Genocide Association, which has thoroughly studied genocide and declared it to be genocide. That’s why it calls for commercial and diplomatic lockdowns, and Israel seeks sanctions to stop genocide, Free Palestine.”
In the week leading up to Emmy, 3,900 industry names signed an open pledge organized by Palestinian film workers, declaring that the signatories “will not cooperate with Israeli institutions or film companies involved in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinians.” The pledge states that examples of accomplice include “whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnership with the government.”
Paramount responded to the letter on Friday by issuing a statement denounced boycotting Israeli film and television industry. “At Paramount, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect people, inspire, promote mutual understanding and maintain the moments, ideas and events we share. The statement continued. “The global entertainment industry needs to encourage artists to tell their stories and share ideas with audiences around the world. We need more engagement and communication.”
Bardem said, “There are also associations called Palestinian Film Workers and some who want to clarify something based on Paramount’s letters. Palestinian film workers are not targeting individuals based on their identity. The targets protect film companies and organizations that are conspired and justify whitewashing or genocide.
He said, “You can’t work with someone who justifies or supports genocide. It’s just as easy. You can’t do that in this or any other industry.”
Bardem signed the letter alongside Hollywood filmmakers like Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, Asif Kapadia, Emma Seligman, Boots Riley, Adam McKay, Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton, Lily Gladstone, Hannah Einbinder, Gael Garcia Bernal, Melissa Barrera, among others Emma Stone.
Bardem took part in the 2025 Emmies as nomination for his performance as Josemenendez in the Netflix Crime series “Monsters: The Story of The Lyle and Erik Menendez.” The Oscar winner was nominated for a limited or outstanding support actor in anthology series or films.
