Pedro Pascal plays a cellist confronting his past in new Tony Gilroy film

Actor Pedro Pascal picked up the cello to star as a musician in the upcoming film "Behemoth!," directed by Oscar winner Tony Gilroy. Pascal shared details about the project on Friday at the New York Film Festival, noting that he felt drawn to the intimate nature of the narrative and the way sound guides the audience.

Plot and Music

The story moves back and forth between past and present times, following a cellist named Alex Serian who relocates to Los Angeles. Alex moves to look after his dying mother and to get away from an intense former partner, played by Olivia Wilde. During his time there, he becomes part of an orchestra that plays movie soundtracks. This music acts as a bridge for the main character and the viewers, bringing back scattered memories that seem to overwhelm him. Pascal described his role as someone who feels like a passenger in his own life, much like how the audience experiences his journey as observers. The musical score for the movie was created by nine different composers and functions as a trigger for the protagonist's recollections as he moves between different cities and relationships.

Filmmaker and Cast Views

The project represents a change of pace for Gilroy, who is best known for writing action blockbusters like the "Bourne" series and legal dramas such as "Michael Clayton." The 70-year-old director stated that he has never written a protagonist quite like this who is neither running away from trouble nor rushing toward a crisis. Gilroy drew inspiration from veteran Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, aiming to create a character who experiences events without being run over by them. Meanwhile, US actress Eva Victor, who portrays one of Alex's romantic partners in the feature, offered a different perspective on the protagonist's passivity. She suggested that constantly fleeing from situations and refusing to engage with life is actually an active form of self-sabotage.

Context

Actors frequently undergo months of intensive training on musical instruments to portray musicians authentically on screen without relying entirely on body doubles. Film festivals like the New York Film Festival often serve as the premier venue for directors and cast members to discuss their creative choices and inspirations ahead of a wider public release. Directors shifting genres from high-octane action to intimate character studies often draw on classic international cinema for inspiration.