(by Francesca Pierleoni)
The most important thing "for me is not being motivated by others' compliments nor held back by criticism. I just try to work at the highest level possible." This is one of the most frequently quoted lines from Russell Crowe's interviews — actor, director and musician, born in 1964, Oscar winner for Gladiator, who after becoming a Hollywood star, while still occasionally appearing on blockbuster sets, has built for himself, especially over the last 15 years, a career made of often indie and unexpected choices, alternating film with world tours with his band.
We find him in the spotlight in two projects in quick succession: first in cinemas with the thriller/action film with comedic elements, The Perfect Revenge - Bear Country by Derrick Borte, which after its premiere at the last Taormina Film Festival arrives in cinemas from August 26 with 01 Distribution, and then at the Venice Film Festival with his new documentary as director, What Love Builds, presented out of competition — a concert film about the tour with the Indoor Garden Party and at the same time a portrait/confession about his artistic choices as an actor as well. A double feature that adds to a long series of films that will bring Crowe back to the big and small screen, from Unabomber for Netflix, arriving September 25, to the remake of Highlander by Chad Stahelski, a fantasy film with a budget of 180 million dollars, with Henry Cavill in the lead role of Connor MacLeod — played in the original saga by Christopher Lambert — and the New Zealand actor in the character of the immortal 'mentor' Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, previously played by Sean Connery.
Then in The Perfect Revenge - Bear Country by Derrick Borte, which also stars Luke Evans, Aaron Paul and Nina Dobrev, Crowe plays Manco Kapac, the feared owner of a nightclub, accustomed to dealing with criminals, who finds himself robbed by a masked thief. An event that puts his dream of retiring to Thailand with his partner on hold, forcing him to confront cartel bosses in a bid to save himself. The film, based on the novel Strip by Thomas Perry, is Crowe's second collaboration with Borte, following Unhinged (2020): "Derrick is an extraordinary artist and also a great director. It was like going back to the old days: we found each other again, we still spoke the same language," the actor explained, describing The Perfect Revenge as "hilarious. Really very funny, with extraordinary performances. The plot is unpredictable: you can never figure out in advance what will happen. And that kind of suspense is always very gripping."
His documentary What Love Builds, premiering at Venice, is described by Festival Director Alberto Barbera as "the most personal film" Russell Crowe has made. The non-fiction film explores in particular his latest musical project, the Indoor Garden Party, with whom he has been touring the world for years: "It is an event, a musical group, a happening. It is fluid," explained the actor and musician. "The participants change, but it is always a large-scale event. It's like a festival where I bring together people I admire, musicians and storytellers, and we put on a show."
The star of Master & Commander further enriches his gallery of complex characters with Unabomber by Janus Metz, on Netflix from September 25. In the film, the actor plays Henry Murray, a psychology professor at Harvard who between 1959 and 1962
involved in experiments now considered unethical and controversial,
including some students among whom was the then 17-year-old Ted Kaczynski
(played by Jacob Tremblay), who later became the anarchist
terrorist Unabomber. From the first of October, Crowe will be
back on screen with Beast by Tyler Atkins, where he plays Sammy,
a trainer who agrees to return to coaching Patton James (Daniel
MacPherson), who in the past became an MMA champion thanks
to his guidance. Looking ahead, among other projects in 2027, as well as
in Highlander, there is a return to the times of Ancient Rome for The
Last Druid by William Eubank, where Crowe plays the role of a
peaceful elderly Celt who must take up arms to
protect his family and his people from extermination.
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