Peter Sarsgaard on Elon Musk’s Mars Plans, Going to a “No Kings” Protest, and How “We’re All F***ed”

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During a Saturday discussion at the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), actor Peter Sarsgaard emphasized the importance of unity among humans, stating that we must collaborate rather than act separately. In the same interview, he shared his reasons for participating in an anti-monarchy protest on U.S. President Donald Trump’s birthday and expressed his skepticism towards Elon Musk’s Mars colonization proposals as a potential solution to save the human race.

During the festival’s grand opening on Friday evening, I, a devoted fan, had the privilege of witnessing Peter Sarsgaard’s heartfelt speech after being honored with the KVIFF President’s Award. In his moving acceptance, he strongly denounced divisions, particularly those prevalent in the U.S., expressing: “The real adversaries are the elements that separate us.” He further emphasized: “Individually, we can’t conquer all; unity is essential. As my nation steps back from its international duties and seeks isolation, it is also being torn apart by internal strife—strife born of political, gender, sexual, racial, and even Jewish communities divided over conflicts.” Notably, Sarsgaard’s partner, Maggie Gyllenhaal, is of the Jewish faith.

In light of threats like climate change and potential wars, including nuclear ones, Sarsgaard remarked, “We’re all bound to perish. However, our children will continue to inhabit the same planet. It seems to me that Elon [Musk]’s kids might live on Mars as well. Frankly, Mars doesn’t appeal to me much. I believe one needs to be born on Mars and never known Earth to consider Mars attractive.

Continuing on, I’d like to express a sentiment: We’re all in this together. Therefore, it’s crucial for us to bond. It’s quite straightforward, and it’s not a matter of politics. I don’t align myself with political ideologies in the traditional sense. I’m not advocating for specific candidates.

Sarsgaard initially brought up Musk during a discussion about his current project, the Apple TV+ series based on the book “Neuromancer”, in which he stars. He described his character as a man who has developed an advanced AI system that is globally influential, making him the wealthiest and most powerful individual worldwide. Given the state of the world, this character has an isolated sanctuary, much like Musk’s plan to escape Earth and colonize Mars when things become chaotic. This idea intrigued Sarsgaard because there seems to be no viable alternative for escaping reality, as he puts it, “So that really interested me.

Later on, Sarsgaard discussed the trend among doomsday-preparing tech tycoons and other wealthy individuals who have been constructing survivalist bunkers. “I’ve noticed that many rich people are talking about this,” he said. “Many wealthy people are purchasing properties, for example, in New Zealand, because they believe it’s the ideal location.” He further added, “There is no safe haven unless you possess a nuclear arsenal to keep others at bay! There is no place to go. We’re all in this together. So that idea intrigued me. I was also a devoted fan of the book. I read it during my high school years, and I adored much of the language. I’m looking forward to meeting [the author] William Gibson. He’s part of the show, and he wrote lines like ‘undulating tsunamis of delight.’ I remember the language is often powerful and extraordinary.

The celebrity mentioned that he owns a secluded property with its own water supply, but acknowledged it wouldn’t provide safety during a catastrophe, even one related to climate change. “I have land situated deep within the forest,” he explained. “It’s an ideal location, perhaps, for adapting to climate change. But when I hear people ask, ‘Where’s the best place to be for climate change?’ The truth is, there’s no safe haven when disaster strikes, as you can’t expect the world to remain arid and waterless just because you own land there.

Significantly, the growing influence of AI and automated systems taking over human interactions resonates with Sarsgaard’s concerns regarding decreasing social bonds. Back in 2023, Sarsgaard voiced his apprehensions about AI at the Venice International Film Festival. “It seems that we can all concur an actor is a person and a writer is a person,” he stated, “but apparently we can’t.” He encouraged the industry to be cautious about delegating narratives about connections to machines and the billionaires who control them.

Talking about millionaires, Sarsgaard shared with journalists in Karlovy Vary over the weekend that he enjoys attending protests on occasion, expressing, “It’s fascinating to see all these people come together. ‘We can make a difference! We all stand for something greater'” He recently took his 13-year-old daughter to a significant protest, which included the ‘No Kings’ demonstration held on Trump’s birthday. He also attended a rally that was situated outside the New York Public Library.

The actor reminisced that his daughter was deeply touched by such a group initiative, referring to it. While it may appear political to some, he explained, the phrase “No Kings” is not inherently so for him. The concentration of power in the hands of a few seems questionable. He seems to advocate for a blend of socialism and democracy, though he’s unsure what term to use. He believes there are others more knowledgeable about this matter. Ultimately, his goal is to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Following his chat with a cluster of journalists about Neuromancer, Sarsgaard shared his upcoming plans. This involves a movie titled Erosion, directed by Swiss filmmaker Michael Koch. Interestingly, Koch’s previous work A Piece of Sky was filmed using non-actors, and as Sarsgaard mentioned, he will be acting alongside mainly non-actors in this project. The filming is scheduled to take place in Lucerne, and the role was specifically written for him.

As a passionate enthusiast, I express the role of a seasoned brain surgeon. With countless observations of brain surgeries under my belt, I’ve reached a point where I feel almost ready to step into the operating room myself.

Additionally, he mentioned the nature of his role: “This part offers an enormous opportunity for me as an actor. I’m present throughout the entire film, not merely in a traditional leading role. Instead, it’s a character who undergoes a significant transformation. He starts off somewhere and ends up somewhere else, and I can’t predict exactly where that will be. However, I’m intrigued and have faith in the director, as he is an exceptional visual storyteller. I believe our collaboration will result in a compelling narrative.

Recently, the actor graced our screens in director Tim Fehlbaum’s film titled “September 5”. Additionally, he has finished working on Warner Bros.’ production of “The Bride!”, which will soon hit theaters and features Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley. Directed by his spouse, Maggie Gyllenhaal, this movie is a reimagining of the classic Frankenstein tale set in 1930s Chicago.

At the 2023 Venice Film Festival, Sarsgaard was awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his portrayal of a man with dementia in Michel Franco’s film “Memory,” alongside Jessica Chastain. Previously, he has appeared in notable series such as “Presumed Innocent,” “The Killing,” and “Dopesick.

The organizers of KVIFF praised Sarsgaard for being widely recognized for his versatility and talent in portraying complex character depths. In recognition of this achievement, they will be showing the 2003 film Shattered Glass, which features Sarsgaard, during the festival.

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2025-07-05 12:55