Probably January 10th will always remain in Juanjo Artero’s memories. That was the day he found out he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Goya Awards for the film No habrá paz para los malvados.

Since he started his career as Javi in Verano Azul until this nomination, 31 years has passed, 15 TV shows, 17 theatre plays, 14 movies and shorts, and more than a dozen awards. Now he is living this nomination as a dream come true. `When I saw the movie, I didn’t like my work´

Turismo Madrid: Did you expect this nomination?

Juanjo Artero: I couldn’t say I expect it because it may sounds a little overconfident, but I knew that this film was going to have a lot of nominations because it is a good film, and I knew that if I could ever have a nomination for Goya Award this will be the occasion.

When I first read the script I didn’t think it was going to be such a special role. What it’s more, I didn’t feel quite satisfied with my work when I saw the movie, because I am always very critic with my work. It was weird for me to see me in the big screen. But the movie is extraordinary; it is going to be a big big success.

TM: But you have more than 30 years of experience…

JA: I know!! But I don’t get used to it!!

TM: And when you received the great news, how did you feel?

JA: buff, I was very nervous, screaming and jumping, very happy…

TM: For the public, you will always be Javi from Verano Azul Is it a stone in your way or a help in your career?

JA: I’ve learned to live with it… I’ve trained and I’m stronger now to handle it…

TM: There have been other famous roles in your career, which is your favourite?

JA: An actor, especially on TV shows, became one with his role. I couldn’t choose one favourite role. It is impossible. There have been many important roles for me. I remember roles like: Lucindo (La discreta enamorada) directed by Miguel Narros; Michale, two years ago, with Lola Herrera (Seis clases de baile en seis semanas), the one in El rio que nos lleva) that was in Cannes and another festivals… and Charly, of course… It is very difficult to choose.

TM: what are you doing right now?

JA: now I am working in El Barco and Karaoke a theatre play that we have been playing in Madrid and now we are moving to Barcelona. After that, I’ll take a rest until February. I need a holiday!!

TM: after all those characters, Is there any role you want to play?

JA: I don’t know. I like to play different characters, with different personalities, that’s what I like and what I try to do in theatre. I like to change: weak, strong, shy, outgoing … For example, I think one of the best roles for an actor is Don Juan Tenorio.

TM: you have worked in TV, theatre, cinema, What do you prefer?

JA: I like all of them, but maybe the theatre is special because of the proximity with the public. It is a different experience that you cannot have in TV or cinema. That is very important for me.

“People from Madrid are not chauvinists”.

TM: you come from Madrid, What do you like the best about this city?

JA: the best of Madrid are its people. The spirit of the city has been made of all the people coming to Madrid from different parts of Spain. If you have a look at the names of the little shops in the streets, they are La alavesa (woman from Álava), La aragonesa (woman from Aragón), La Toledana (woman from Toledo), etc. A lot of people immigrated to Madrid, as my grandparents did, that make us a very open-minded people. We are not chauvinists because we came from outside but we grew up here in Madrid.

TM: Madrid is...

JA: … open. It welcomes everybody.

“Manzanares River links me with my childhood”.

TM: Tell us about Madrid in your childhood.

JA: I was born in 1965; all was in black and white but my childhood was in colour thanks to my father. I used to live next to Manzanares river, just between the river and Casa de Campo. I have very sweet memories of the river and its smell, the light, I love it. Manzanares links me to my childhood. As a child I wished I could sail in the river, and dreamed about jumping on it and swimming.

TM: What’s your favourite place in the city?

JA: A walk I’ve just have today. I live in Boadilla and I drove to my childhood neighbourhood. Then I’ve walked down to Estación del Norte, up to Gran Via and then across Austrias Madrid to Mayor, Sol… I love that part of Madrid.

TM: A lot of movies are located in Madrid. Which area do you think it would be a good set for a movie?

JA: Cuatro Torres Business Area. I love this area, its architecture. Enrique Urbizu has showed it on his movie.

TM: And what about the theatre? Is there any place that you would like to use as a stage for a play?

JA: Well, I’ve made it already. When Madrid was the European Capital of Culture, we prepared something spectacular, a play called Fiesta Barroca. It was open-aired theatre. We had to ride horses from Palacio Real (Royal Palace) to Plaza Mayor where we played. It was the best stage we could ever have!! Amazing!!

TM: How do you spend a day off in the city?

JA: I use to go to Casa de Campo or Retiro, which is a wonderful place to walk on a Sunday morning.

TM: And outside the city? Do you have any favourite place to escape in the Region of Madrid?

JA: Well, I recommend Boadilla. 85% of its territory is green. It has a lot of green areas. And you can eat very well!! There are a lot of good restaurants. I like, for example: La Lonja, just opposite Palacio del Infante Don Luis, and a fantastic Italian “El Golfo di Taranto”. And after that of course, you have to go for a walk in the forest.

TM: Can you recommend us a restaurant in the city?

JA: I’ve got two favourites, El Rayuela and Come Prima.

“If I get the Goya Award, I will not believe it!!”

TM: We usually ask about that unfulfilled dream that everybody have, in your case it is easy to figure it out…

JA: To get the Goya Award? I don’t expect it so, if I am lucky, maybe I can have a surprise. I’ll prepare a little speech, just in case. Anyway, with the award or not, it is going to be a wonderful evening. I wish Jose Coronado get one, and Enrique Urbizu for the best film… we can get seven awards!! So we left another seven for the rest of nominees!! and if I get it… I won’t believe it!! There are some very good actors nominated!!

TM: We wish you all the luck!! We look forward to seeing you with your award!!