Eduardo Casanova’s emotional goodbye to Itziar Castro: “I would have liked to make her happier, but it couldn’t be”

2023-12-08 15:57:27

Updated Friday, December 8, 2023 – 14:57

The director, who made her famous with Pieles, underlines the importance of Itziar Castro’s determination to become visible, for the film industry and for everyone’s life.

Eduardo Casanova and Itziar Castro pose at the Berline with ‘Pieles’, his first time as a director, and she, with a leading role. CREDIT EDUARDO CASANOVA

S.

That is the first word that came out of the mouth of Itziar Castro if you propose something. S am, and that’s almost everything. Sometimes, his determination could make you doubt… Why does he do everything? Does it matter what it is? What nonsense, what absurd fear we have of people with determination. Now I understand it perfectly. The s of Itziar Castro to be in everything possible is the most necessary yes that this industry, our public and this country did not know we needed.

Before she became famous for the role she played in my first film, Skins, Itziar He had been fighting for years to gain a foothold in the industry. He worked in movies, in series, in musicals, he also sang. She already had a career, but it wasn’t enough: she knew she deserved more. And I got it. It was difficult not to achieve it, because the tireless force of Itziar to fight, to belong, is only typical of elite athletes.

Why was it so important to her and all of us?

First, because an acting talent like that should be seen by everyone. Everyone had to see how a fat, lesbian actress, unafraid to position herself politically, often appeared on prime time television playing characters that did not always have to do with her physique (something very difficult to achieve): in more films mainstream, in more indie films, posing naked, posing dressed, in short films, in photocalls, in television series… Making herself visible.

I insist: MAKING YOURSELF VISIBLE.

It seems like a joke that Itziar Castro It was difficult for him to become visible, but that was his harsh reality. Like the character he played in Skins, he said: “People don’t like to see people like me.” She made sure, with successes and mistakes, that we saw her, of exposing herself, even of overexposing herself so that we understood that her presence was completely necessary. Because unfortunately, there are very few visible actresses like her and now, after this tragedy, she will not be there to demonstrate to those of us who try to comply with the cruel canons of the system that actresses like Itziar Castro They are completely necessary in our lives and in our industry.

Luckily his legacy remains, for which he worked hard. I hope that helps us understand the s of Itziar Castro.

I would have liked to make Itziar happier and have filmed more with her after Skins. It could not be. But since I know her, I know that what can make her happiest now is for all of us to make her VISIBLE. Let’s post your photos on Instagram; Let us remember that she was nominated for the Goya Awards as a revelation actress, and although she didn’t win it, everyone understood that she was the winner; Let’s talk about the short film she just directed, Quote; and let’s return all those favors that she always did for us, even without asking, when we needed to make ourselves visible. That would be pure poetic justice.

Thank you Benja de la Rosa for introducing her to me, and to José Cerqueda for suggesting her to me for the short film that became Skins.

Itzi, Thank you and sorry.
I love you, Edu.

Eduardo Casanova He is an actor, screenwriter and film director. He directed Itziar Castro in Pieles, a role that earned him a Goya nomination for best new actress.