'We need art to live': Antonio Banderas on relating to his character in Pain and Glory

Antonio Banderas has had a memorable career in Hollywood, but before he was Zorro or Puss in Boots, he was part of a historic moment in Spain. 

In the early 1980s, the country experienced an explosion of artistic expression after a decades-long political dictatorship under Francisco Franco had ended. One of the stars of this movement was the filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. One of his favourite actors was a young Banderas.

Now, for the first time in years, Banderas has reunited with Almodóvar for their eighth film together, Pain and Glory. It's about a film director in his physical decline who feels that he has no reason to live without his art. The character is loosely based on Almodóvar himself.

WATCH | Antonio Banderas's full interview with q host Tom Power:

The actor joined q's Tom Power at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival to talk about working with his long-time friend and collaborator, and why he finds his character in Pain and Glory so relatable.

"I wouldn't understand a life without art," said Banderas. "Could you understand a life without music? Without looking at paintings, movies or theatre? ... It's like food. We need art to live because it's a reflection of ourselves."

Pain and Glory hits theatres on Friday, Oct. 25.

— Produced by ​Vanessa Greco