Benedict Cumberbatch.Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty
Benedict Cumberbatchopened up about his role inThe Power of the Dog, which explores themes of sexual repression and toxic masculinity.
“He had this burning love affair in his youth, which wasn’t tolerated, which wasn’t allowed, couldn’t be spoken of and the tragedy of that is what twists him into this sort of form of masculine toxicity,” the British actor told reporters of his character at the New York Film Festival premiere on Friday.
The Power of the Dog.Kirsty Griffin/Netflix
Of the time period, the star said, “I think it speaks to a time of intolerance and a lack of acceptance where people couldn’t live any kind of their authentic self.”
“[Queer men] had to bury that and cloak it in masculinity, which while not necessarily inherent on the face of it, became so,” he continued.
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Cumberbatch also said his character’s feelings about his sexuality are more complex than “self-hatred.”
“I don’t think he’s disgusted with himself, he has privacy, he has moments of recollection; he communes with his memory, but I don’t think he knows any difference,” the actor explained. “It’s so hard for us to view it through his lens, that’s the trickiness of it.”
Cumberbatch, who is straight and has previously played a gay character, hasfaced increased scrutinyin this role. The actor previously played mathematician Alan Turing, a gay man, in 2014’sThe Imitation Game.
“I feel very sensitive about representation, diversity, and inclusion,” he said at the Telluride Film Festival earlier this month regardingThe Power of the Dog, according toIndieWire. “One of the appeals of the job was the idea that in this world, with this specific character, there was a lot that was private, hidden from view.”
Cumberbatch added, “It wasn’t done without thought.”
The Power of the Dog(2022).Kirsty Griffin/Netflix
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The actor ultimately said during the press conference that scrutiny about his casting should be addressed with director Jane Campion who “chose us as actors to play those roles.”
“That’s her question to answer,” Cumberbatch said.
source: people.com
