In the second season of the TV series "Genius"
Spanish star Antonio Banderas plays
the famous character from his hometown: Pablo Picasso
One of the most important artist in the 20th century
Since the first Spanish civil war
until he died
in 1973
What interesting is that
there are many similarities between Picasso and Banderas
One of them is: the first is the most famous artist
and the second is the most famous movie star
Picasso was born in 1881
in Malaga, Spain
And it's the same city where Banderas was born
In 1960
And both of them left during their teenage years to Madrid
Where Picasso went to the Royal School of Painting
While Banderas joined the National Theatre of Spain
In Madrid Picasso rebelled against the typical classical art
by inventing a surrealist and dark art
While Banderas starred in films directed
by the controversial then Pedro Almodovar
Who created a new cinematic approach
that defied the Spanish traditions in the 80s
In his early twenties
Picasso traveled to the capital city of art: Paris
Where he started the cubism movement
that relies on the architectural shapes to present a new way of things
While Banderas traveled to
Hollywood in the early 90s and become an international star
Both Picasso and Banderas thought they had Arabic roots
And Banderas insisted in playing Arab roles
such as the role of poet Ahmed bin Fadlan
In the movie: The 13th worrier
And the role of prince Nusaib in the movie: Black Gold
Banderas portrays Picasso precisely
in the series "Genius"
And he denies it's because of their similar looks
Picasso was known for being tough and violent
in dealing with people around him
especially his wives and lovers
which lead two of them to commit suicide and other two became insane
But Banderas refuses to judge him
It's not easy for Banderas to defend his beloved
in the age of the women movement "Me too"
So, instead of "Genius" being a way
to celebrate the ancient artist Picasso
It rekindled the demand to condemn his art
Which is based on his female victims
But his fans still insist to separate
between the art and the artist