Working With AlmÛdovar Javier C·mara Gets to Know Renowned Director in ëTalk to Herí by Ky N. Nguyen Actor Javier C·mara is a big star in Spain, having starred for nine seasons in the wildly popular television sitcom ìSeven Lives.î After a small part in Julio Medemís hit film ìSex and LucÌa,î C·mara plays a lead role as the nurse Benigno in acclaimed director Pedro AlmÛdovarís ìTalk to Her.î In C·maraís suite at the Four Seasons, he was dressed fashionably casual as I talked with him about working with AlmÛdovar. He explained how he was fortuitously cast: ìFor me, itís a very good story. In this case, it was a very good surprise. [AlmÛdovarís people] told me it would only be about two days of work. Itís very good to participate in a film of AlmÛdovar. When I entered the office, he said, ëI wrote this, and I think you are the perfect actor for thisóthe role of the main character. If you read the script and you like it, itís yours.í ìI said, ëWhat!í During one year, he had talked with a lot of my friends in TV or cinema to get information about me,î The actor continued. ìTo work with him is very, very amazing. He is so quiet and so calm. He gets into your feelings. I saw that the way he works with DarÌo [G randinetti] is absolutely different than with me and with the girls. He begins to know you and after that, begins to work with you.î The actor noted, ìI worked in TV for 10 years, where the style is so different. He needs to control me. Heís so afraid: ëOh, my god! Javier is so crazy.í And everyday, itís Ö ëJavier, come here.í Our relationship is so funny. He understands me. Our humor is so similar.î C·mara believes that in America, people have ìa lot of time to make films. When Robert DeNiro talks about preparing for ëRaging Bullí or Tom Hanks for ëCastawayí [by gaining and losing lots of weight], they need time to make these films. Normally in Spain, you have little time to make films. In the case of AlmÛdovar, you have a lot of time. Itís the first time when I have five months to prepare for the role.î The thespian recalled, ìAt the beginning, I thought itís the most difficult role in my life. I continue to say that. When we have five months to prepare, itís so easy because all the work is in the preparation. And AlmodÛvar prepares each day with all his heart. The most passionate part of his film, or all his films, is emotion. Pedro talks about something more deep, intense and personal. He talks about his feelings. He puts his feelings on the table. Each actor catches his feelings and begins to work with them. Heís very generous. Heís an artist. I love the film.î C·mara added, ìPedro is so personal. Heís so careful with the people. Heís like the captain of the Titanicówell, not the Titanic, another boat.Ö Heís so clear. He enters the room; he organizes things. You feel something special. You know this kind of person is rareóheís not only an artist, heís a leader. Everybody says that AlmÛdovar is a special person. When youíre in contact with him and hear him talking about a film or something, everybody stops. People donít move. ìWhen I travel in Europe, people talk with Pedro like a friend, a relative. I canít believe it. In TV, itís normal. People see your face everyday in TV. Itís like youíre a friend. AlmÛdovarís stories are so bizarre. Theyíre so nice, but theyíre not very real. When people in France talk about ëAll About My Mother,í saying the mother is like their mother, I canít understand! People understand the stories like their own stories.î C·mara concluded about his director, ìHe finds contact with the souls of the people. He finds feelings and sentiments. Heís a man with an open heart. You need to open your heart in life to open your heart in work.î Ky N. Nguyen is the film reviewer for The Washington Diplomat.