The first time Robert De Niro visited the film festival in Cannes was 1973 – then as an unknown actor with one of the roles in Martin Scorsese's "Death Squad".
Since then, De Niro has been here at least eight times, then with films by directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Sergio Leone, and of course Scorsese. This year, he is returning.
De Niro has made himself known for his expressive hatred towards Donald Trump, and much of the interview deals with the President of the USA. A few years ago, De Niro said he would like to beat up Trump.
Now, he says he has become calmer about what he says, but the criticism is just as strong.
He has cut down on support for cultural life, education, and aid. And now he wants to impose a 100 percent tax on films produced outside the USA. You can't put a price on creativity, but apparently, you can tax it, says De Niro sarcastically.
Does he never feel afraid for his personal safety? Trump and his followers have threatened to take revenge on everyone who is against them.
Of course, I know there can be a threat, but I'm too old to really care. I know what happens when a bully is after you, but I don't want to let it affect me.
When De Niro was in Cannes in 2023, in connection with Scorsese's film "Killers of the Flower Moon" being shown, he warned that the end was near if Trump came back to power. Does it feel like that now?
I don't want to think so. We must protest. We can't let the bully win. Something will happen that will make the population in the USA realize how absurd the situation is.
Threat
De Niro believes that many think like him, but they don't raise their voices – yet.
People will increasingly rise up and protest. They don't want a dictatorship. But they didn't know what they voted for. And in the film industry, you have to make a decision. Should we fight or bend? And if you fight, it inspires.
The interview deals a lot with politics, but also with De Niro's long and impressive career. How does he feel about "The Godfather 2", which many consider to be the best film ever made?
I'm not qualified to have an opinion about it. I understand why many think so. I'm glad I was in it. And it changed my life. That's all I can say.
Age: 81
Family: Partner Tiffany Chen, seven children.
Lives: In New York.
Occupation: Actor.
Films, selected: "Death Squad", "Taxi Driver", "1900", "The Godfather 2", "Once Upon a Time in America", "Deer Hunter", "The Bull from Bronx", "King of Comedy", "The Unforgiven", "Midnight Run", "Mafia Brothers", "Casino", "Heat", "The Family is Worst", "You Drive Me Crazy!", "Joker", "The Irishman", "Killers of the Flower Moon".
