Los Angeles, CA – The 98th Academy Awards, held Sunday, March 15, 2026, saw Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” take home the award for Best Picture, but the night was also marked by a powerful political statement from actor Javier Bardem.
Bardem arrived on the red carpet wearing a pin displaying “No to war” in red against a black background, resembling a blood splatter. He then took the stage to present an award and proclaimed, “No to war and freedom for Palestine.”
The actor, who has been politically active throughout his career, reportedly doubled down on his support for the Palestinian cause during the awards ceremony. According to reports, Bardem stated, “I think you can belong to this circus and, at the same time, be a citizen.”
This isn’t the first time Bardem’s political views have made headlines during awards season. Late in 2025, reports surfaced suggesting he was on a supposed “blacklist” compiled by the Ellison family, owners of Paramount Skydance and with ties to the Trump Administration, due to his pro-Palestinian stance.
Bardem’s appearance at the Oscars reinforces his standing as a prominent figure in the global film community. He previously won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “No Country for Old Men” (2007) and has been nominated three additional times for his perform in “Before Night Falls” (2000), “Biutiful” (2010), and “Being the Ricardos” (2021). The actor’s willingness to use the platform to advocate for his beliefs adds another layer to his already impressive career.
Elsewhere at the ceremony, Amy Madigan won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, and Sean Penn secured his third Oscar, though he did not attend the ceremony to accept the award. The awards show was also broadcast in Latin America via TNT.
