His reasons for turning away from acting in recent years are not surprising; the love for his wife of 6 years, Amal, and their 3-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella. Midnight Sky, completed in February when the real world was a different place, comes first to theaters and then to Netflix’s platform and is based on the novel Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton.

The narrative is set in the year 2049, in an apocalyptic world, and Clooney plays Augustine Lofthouse, a scientist from a remote Arctic research station who may be the last man on Earth.

Considered a bulwark in favor of humanitarian aid, at 59, Clooney has donated half a million dollars to the Equal Justice Initiative and 1 million for health workers fighting COVID-19 in Italy, London and Los Angeles and significant aid to Lebanese charities following the deadly explosion in Beirut. His days are spent at his home in Laurel Canyon, with his wife Amal, 42, and their two twins, happy as he has never been in his life. Clooney, whom we interviewed a few years back, confesses in this interview that his Spanish has improved and that he learned watching Spanish shows with subtitles.

Q: What was the world like when you finished shooting the movie?

A: I finished filming in February and was planning to go to Italy to do post-production, there was no pandemic and we hadn't burned the entire West Coast of the United States yet. When they locked us up, I was in Los Angeles with my family. I've spent these months here helping to take care of my children; washing dishes and putting in washing machines and, in between, I had time to edit the film.

Q: Why did you want to shoot such an existential film?

A: I think it is necessary. We are infected with the disease of hatred, we face each other without any filter and it is important to reconsider, understand that, if we continue like this, we will end up destroying this planet.

P: Last Time I spoke with you, you said that you wanted to learn Spanish. How that went?

R: Not so bad. I’ve been in Mexico a lot and had a company there so my Spanish improved quite a lot, actually. I wouldn’t considered myself native but I can have a conversation

P: Are you able to read in Spanish?

R:  No, that is a big stretch for me. I do have the opportunity to watch movies in Spanish and read Spanish subtitles to learn. I’ve been doing that with some tv shows as La Casa de Papel o some Almodóvar movies.

P: Do you have a favorite Spanish author?

R: mmm.. I liked Bolaño and Borges. Definitely

Q: The film offers some hope to humanity?

A: I am a very positive man and, although what happens in this film is very sad, I also believe in the possibility of salvation. We cannot live regretting our luck, we must always have a little hope.

Q: You are very involved in civil activism. Is it more important now than ever to transfer a social responsibility to your followers?

A: You don't have to be famous to have civic responsibility. We must fight against racism, against bullying, against tyranny; I lend my voice to the causes in which I believe and my fame is a platform for human rights. This film is a warning of what men are capable of doing to ourselves if we are not careful. The Covid came to change everything. Now we worry about being able to communicate with the people we love, going to see our parents, things that we previously took for granted. As I tell you, I am optimistic, I choose to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Q: How did you meet your wife Amal Clooney?

A: There is a before and after her appearance in my life. She made me understand what love is because, since I've known her, Amal is the most important person in my life. I was convinced that I would not remarry, it was not something I needed. But her arrival changed everything and then my children came to revolutionize our existence.

Q: In the film you appear with a huge beard, did your children like it?

A: They loved it, every time they needed my attention, they pulled me over and over again.

Q: How would you explain the story of this movie?

A: It is an important story because it talks about redemption, something that we all need right now. I think it is important to personalize the stories, tell the struggle of a person with whom we can identify. This is a man who regrets the decisions he has made in his life and is overwhelmed with regrets. A guy unable to have the courage to take responsibility for his mistakes. He may have had a family,but he gave it up for his job.  I think that in life it is very important that we are able to look back and understand what we have done and why we have done it. Older people regret not having fought enough for what they wanted, it is something very common and yet I think that should not define us. In life you have to find a moment of redemption.

Q: Do you consider yourself an optimistic man?

A: I am a positive person who seeks the redemption of people. There is no worse remedy than to give up on any situation. People have to understand their circumstances and find a new path if they need to.

Maria Estevez

Correspondent writer