Naomi Watts illuminates the 74th San Sebastián Film Festival

Naomi Watts is one of the most recognizable British-born and internationally educated stars. Over the years, she remains very active, albeit in roles more adapted to her age, though her natural beauty and warmth never go unnoticed.

With a hairstyle slightly reminiscent of Helen Mirren, another great star, Watts presents the film “The Housewife”. While decent enough in recounting a story based on true events that were highly controversial in their day in New York, it treats some of its main characters perhaps without enough background to convincingly explain their motivations. Such is the case with the young journalist Joseph Lelyveld, played by Tye Sheridan.

A role that takes it’s toll

Naomi Watts is one of those people who exemplify the glamour of a major international film festival like San Sebastián. With the audience passionately embracing every star, film, or event, it is hard to single out just one person, and we will not, but we are dedicating this article to Naomi because we found her reflections on being a woman in Hollywood and facing both a challenging role and the inevitable passage of time truly captivating.

As for the film, and if you want to avoid spoilers, stop reading now; she tells us that the main challenge was playing a being with such a dark and disturbing past. Of course, an actor acts and does not need to share the character’s ideology by any means, more son in this case, but delving into their motivations, background, and circumstances inevitably affects the person who has to convincingly portray them.

Naomi Watts achieves just that: playing a monster with conviction and quality, though according to her, there is always a price to pay. Quieting the mind after playing someone like that is no easy task.

Linking this to the idea of recognizing real-life monsters, she alluded to the political situation in the United States of America, facing the rise of totalitarian leaders who sow hatred and discord both domestically and internationally, and who support genuine atrocities; much like those depicted in the film.

Holly wood, age and her presence in the Festival

Regarding the role of women in cinema, where youth is often favoured, she reminded us that she started in Hollywood relatively late, at the age of 31. She acknowledged that David Lynch was a turning point in her career and that, while roles keep coming her way today, prejudice against ageing women certainly exists. Nevertheless, with her talent and versatility, she is nothing but grateful to be able to select roles as complex and intriguing as the one in The Housewife.

Within the framework of the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival, as one of the first big stars to arrive, she left no one indifferent. Friendly, charming, with a soft and calm voice and a deep gaze, as mentioned earlier, she brought a generous dose of glamour to the festival that guests, accredited press, and the general public alike truly appreciated.

During the official photocall, she posed with patience, grace, and a few lighthearted moments, such as when she was unsure where to leave her sunglasses, the default accessory of every star. After such a disturbing film, these were undoubtedly moments of lightness that we all needed, leaving us all infected with a smile just like that of the great and matchless Naomi Watts.