Harvey Keitel Sees Film as a Force of “Change” and Tool to “Cure Our Biases” — and Quotes Aristotle

Harvey Keitel is passionate about film and other arts as key forces to bring people together and enable change. And if you don’t believe him, believe Aristotle, he says!

The legendary actor sat down for a chat with The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), whose double anniversary 60th edition in its 80th year runs through July 11, to discuss the state of film and the world, among other things.

“I feel in today’s tumultuous world, when people are so against each other for banal reasons — they’ve never heard the expression ‘no bias’ to let people be who they want to be without objecting to it, without killing each other over religion or color or politics — that’s where the arts come in,” Keitel offered. He then quoted the Greek philosopher Aristotle, saying: “Words alone are not enough to change a culture. Aesthetic force is needed, and that is the artist. So, film festivals like Karlovy Vary, Cannes, the Tribeca Film Festival, etc., where artists can come and show their wares and share how they feel about life with people, can provide the aesthetic force that’s needed to instigate change.”

Change is “a tool for growing as a people to cure our biases and start becoming human beings instead,” Keitel continued. “That is particularly needed now, because of all the wars, fighting, politics.”

Acting is also a way to learn about oneself and develop as a person, the star shared. “The real gift is learning to know yourself through art,” Keitel told THR. And that opens up one’s mind “instead of standing rigidly — I’m white or I’m black or I’m Christian or I’m Jewish or Arab, or so.” He continued: “When I got involved with the theater in New York, I met all these people from different beliefs, and that really changed me.”

Why did Keitel never direct a movie? “When you reach a certain place that I was fortunate enough to reach, acting becomes working with the director and being your own director many times,” he explained. “I didn’t have time to become a director, and I didn’t have the education. But I was lucky enough to meet the people that did, so my education became the theater and cinema, and these wonderful people I was fortunate enough to work with — Scorsese, Tarantino, Jane Campion, Lina Wertmüller, Theo Angelopoulos and many others. Forgive me if I’m forgetting you here!”

Keitel’s advice to actors is to put in the hard work, including in your development as a person. “Study, read, work at your craft,” he summarized his tips. “It takes work, and growing as a human being takes work.”

What’s Keitel working on right now? “I’m making a film with my wife, Daphna Kastner Keitel, who’s a filmmaker, writer [and] actress. We’re working on it in Los Angeles, where we live now.” Is there a title yet? Yes, but the Hollywood legend can’t share it yet, he says with a laugh. What is the film about? “I can’t tell you what it’s about, because it’s about discovery,” Keitel told THR. “Using the art of filmmaking to be the aesthetic force for the people around us … to grow and try to stamp out prejudice and short-mindedness.”

While the couple still has a place in New York, Keitel shares this about life in L.A. before he must make his next meeting: “I’m enjoying it. I miss New York, of course, the New York of old, though. It was different than New York today.” Could it ever change again? “As a matter of fact, the word is out that New York will change back to the old days once theater comes back,” Keitel said. “New York’s changed a great deal since the pandemic and what’s going on with the world of culture at the moment.”

Earlier on Sunday, Keitel had presented legendary cinematographer Robert Richardson with KVIFF’s Crystal Globe award.

“Renowned American actor Harvey Keitel will make his third appearance at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival,” organizers said when they unveiled his attendance. “At the festival’s 39th edition in 2004, Keitel was awarded a Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema. Eleven years later, he returned to Karlovy Vary in order to introduce Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth, in which he played one of the main roles. The film won the Právo Audience Award, which Keitel accepted in person.”

On the occasion of Keitel’s latest trip to the fest in the Czech spa town, KVIFF is screening Mean Streets, per the wish of the actor.

He is part of a star-studded lineup of special guests, like Keitel, and honorees at KVIFF’s double anniversary edition. Big names who have been honored this weekend are Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jesse Eisenberg, as well as cinematographer Robert Richardson, who received his award from Keitel.

As if the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) needed more star power for the double anniversary of its 60th edition in its 80th year, it has lined up Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Harvey Keitel to join the list of celebrities in attendance at the Czech film fest this year.