source:
imdb Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal is baffled by the criticism he has received for taking on roles portraying homosexual characters, because he considers it "cool".
The Latin hunk has played gay men in director
Pedro Almodovar's
La Mala Educacion (Bad Education) in 2004 and kissed Diego Luna in 2001's
Y Tu Mama Tambien (And Your Mother, Too).
And he insists he is unabashed about his on-screen past, because it should not have any implication on his acting credentials.
He says, "It's so cool. I don't see what all the fuss is about playing gay characters. When I did Y Tu Mama Tambien, I was asked, 'Don't you worry about what people will say to you in the street?' It seemed like it was such a huge deal.
"Why would it be an issue for me? I think it is a very American thing. In Mexico, no one has given me any s**t for playing gay roles, for playing a transvestite, whatever. They don't confuse the actor with the role. I mean, they don't think Al Pacino's a cop!"
Bernal also admits he is unfazed by nudity - and can't understand why his peers would make such a fuss about disrobing for any movie.
He adds, "Whenever an actor or actress says, 'I won't do nudity unless the story demands it', they're the first people to take their kit off! 'I would only do it for artistic reasons.' Yeah right! Come on, there's nothing artistic about it, but I don't have a problem with it either."
What was that? What? I'm obliged to post a picture of Gael in drag? That seems so common but okay.......
And I've had a GOOD day!
Gael has it right though. Whether you're young Hollywood or Indie, a gay role seems needed as a breakout vehicle. Such examples as Heath Ledger, Paul Dano, Ryan Philippe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, (for older examples, Philip Seymour Hoffman and William Hurt won their Academy Awards for playing gay) etc, etc. all got their breaks from playing gay roles. It's one way of getting noticed and expressing seriousness for the career. Plus, everybody gets to see your range. When done properly of course.