A Star's Call for Unity and Sacrifice

During the 59th Karlovy Vary Film Festival, actor Peter Sarsgaard delivered a powerful speech about unity and division.

On Division and Authoritarian Tactics

• Highlighted the U.S.'s growing divisions based on politics, race, and other factors.
• Warned that authoritarian regimes use such divisions to control people.

Humanitarian Over Politics

• Quoted Czech statesman Vaclav Havel: > "One half of a room cannot stay warm while the other half is cold."
• Emphasized that this is a humanitarian, not political, statement.
• Believes personal safety and comfort should not be the focus.

On the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

• Did not vote for Trump but did not fully support Biden either.
• Identifies as a humanitarian, believing politics should not be the main focus.

Sacrifice for the Greater Good

• Admires Havel's willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause.
• Criticizes the vocal left in the U.S. for being wealthy and comfortable, unwilling to make sacrifices.
• Believes it's time for people to suffer a bit for the greater good.

Hope for the Future

• Not hopeful about his generation but has hope for younger generations.
• Thinks the U.S. has a huge responsibility and is worth fighting for.
• Stressed the importance of loving your enemy, even in troubled times.

On the Film Industry

• Says it's hard for young actors to succeed in the U.S. due to lack of government support for the arts.
• Has been working on films outside the U.S. because of this.

Working with Maggie Gyllenhaal

• Talks about working with his wife, filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal.
• Says he is tough on her because he believes in her talent.