Actor Javier Bardem appeared to push back on President Trump’s immigration rhetoric at the Academy Awards, telling the audience in Spanish, “There are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity and talent.”
“In any region of any country of any continent, there are always great stories that move us,” Bardem said as he introduced the “Best Foreign Film” category at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles alongside actress Angela Bassett.
“And tonight we celebrate the excellence and importance of the cultures and languages of different countries,” the 49-year-old Spanish actor said.
Without mentioning him by name, the remarks appeared to be a dig at Trump, who made cracking down on immigration and the building of a border wall on the U.S.-Mexico border a hallmark of his 2016 presidential campaign.
Bardem’s comments weren’t the only “wall” knock during the Oscars telecast — comedian Maya Rudolph kicked off the ceremony by quipping to the audience, “Mexico is not paying for the wall.”