Alexander Skarsgard Kisses Pedro Pascal on Cheek During Ravenous Standing Ovation for ‘Pillion’

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Alexander Skarsgard was deeply moved by the love shown during a seven-minute standing ovation for his film “Pilion” at Cannes, which he reciprocated with a heartfelt hug and a kiss on the cheek from Pedro Pascal, who was beaming with joy.

Harry Lighton’s directorial debut, “The Sexy BDSM-themed Drama,” made its global introduction Sunday morning within Salle Debussy, attracting an audience that included notable figures like Pascal from Eddington, Coralie Fargeat of The Substance, and David Hinojosa of Babygirl. This captivating film left the crowd eager for more as it delved into a tale about Colin, a reserved young man from London portrayed by Harry Melling, who crosses paths with Ray, played by Alexander Skarsgard, a charismatic leader of a motorcycle club, on Christmas Eve at a local pub. Their encounter leads to an intimate moment in a dark alley, followed by Ray taking Colin under his wing, transforming him into his submissive within a complex relationship defined by power dynamics. The film was selected for the Un Certain Regard category.

According to The Hollywood Reporter’s top movie critic, David Rooney, in his assessment, Lighton’s initial work deftly handles the film’s suggestive topics while ensuring that the character of Colin develops and remains relatable. Moreover, it’s quite humorous.

In Rooney’s words, both Melling and Skarsgard exhibit a deep grasp of the power dynamic between their characters, but what makes “Pillion” stand out is the tension that arises when Colin desires something more. Melling portrays the complex nature of Colin’s low self-worth through his submissive role with an endearing tenacity. He doesn’t beg or demand, instead expressing his wishes with a resoluteness that mirrors Ray’s rejections.

In Rooney’s critique, he clarifies the term “pillion” – a seat on a motorcycle for the passenger riding behind the driver, more frequently used in Britain than the U.S., and sometimes referred to colloquially as a ‘bottom’ within queer communities. It’s noteworthy that Skarsgard’s character sports an oversized, pierced fake appendage, further highlighting the current trend of extensive prosthetic use in Hollywood productions.

At the beginning of Lighton’s movie premiere, he confessed to feeling a bit jittery about presenting his debut film at Cannes. He expressed his hope that the audience would find it amusing, thought-provoking, and slightly… provocative. To aid in this, Skarsgard appeared on stage wearing snug black leather trousers. This fashion choice drew praise from Thierry Fremaux, the head of Cannes, before the screening, causing Skarsgard to twirl around and show off his backside.

Lighton was nervous about showing his first movie at Cannes. He wanted people to laugh, think, and maybe feel a little attracted to it. To help with that last part, Skarsgard wore tight leather pants on stage. Thierry Fremaux, the boss of Cannes, liked this outfit before the screening, so Skarsgard turned around and wiggled his bottom for everyone.

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival continues through May 24.

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2025-05-18 16:54