Year 2000 finishes with great reasons of celebration for the Puerto Rican actor Benicio Del Toro, because it finishes with him being named to a Golden Globe Award as " Best supporting actor " for his performance in " Traffic ". This distinction is one of five that he has received this week for his interpretation of the Mexican police officer " Javier Rodriguez " and also one of five nominations to the prize " Golden Globe " that Steven Soderbergh ("Erin Brokovich") also received. "They have good taste ", joking say's the actor in a telephone conversation with SCENE in reaction to the important nomination that, in addition, could mean that an Oscar is considered for a prize, which usually happens in Hollywood. " I do not have expectations. If I win well good and if no, also good. The work already is done. I have been working many years, making films and am proud of all those that I have done. This comes to be the ' frosting' on the cake. It is important for me, but I am not going away to work to gain it. It is important, but still more for my family, my people and those that work with me ", he comments.

This week Del Toro also obtained prizes like " Best actor " from the Toronto Film Festival. And aside from that already took one from the Critical Circle of Film in New York, also in the Film Critics Society Awards was awarded in the category of " Best supporting actor " and from the San Diego and the Globe Satellite Awards. In " Traffic ", that will release in January of the 2001, he shares main roles with Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and Denis Quaid. In addition, other nourished groups of Latin actors like Miguel Ferrer, Luis Guzmán and Jacob Vargas. This is the first time that he acts almost all in Spanish and works with Soderbergh, whom he describes as one of the best directors of Hollywood. To his understanding, this personage has caused much impact in the specialized critic because " he has his point of view and it is not only because he is making a good film, but also it is very clear. He has a classic psychic dramatic style Greek hero.

He is the man who tries to do the best thing than he can and he cannot. There are many dimensions. ' You plows only as good as your movie ", abounds that competed for the " Golden Globe " against Willem Dafoe, Joaquin Phoenix and Jeff Bridges. Although he does not work in search of the trophies, he admits that yes they are important in the film industry and that yes they could give a turn to represent his race. " It is a recognition as a serious actor and that is an aid. If there are people who want to make a project and are nervous if they can do it or not, and if I say that I am going to perhaps participate the Oscar pushes the others to endorsing it. For that reason it is important that I am represented in the ceremonies. Not for volume ' granted', I do it watching the future ". Benicio Del Toro plans to take to the cinema some of the scripts that he has written or to film in Puerto Rico. In January he will receive the " Globe Satellite Award " and on the 21st of the same month he will attend the ceremony of the " Golden Globe ", that will be transmitted direct by NBC. Also at the beginning of next year he will release " Snatch ", next to Brad Pitt. The film was directed by Guy Ritchie (husband of Madonna).

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(Photograph by Ingrid Torres/Escenario_

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