Harvey Keitel: Cinema Can Break Down Prejudice and Unite Us

Veteran Hollywood actor Harvey Keitel believes movies can do much more than entertain. During his third visit to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic this week, the Oscar-nominated star argued that films have a unique power to challenge bias, build empathy and spark real social change.

Keitel, best known for his roles in ‘Reservoir Dogs’, ‘The Piano’ and ‘Pulp Fiction’, said art possesses a rare ability to question deeply held assumptions and push audiences to see the world differently.

“Film can help us change,” he told festival attendees, explaining that storytelling allows people to walk in someone else’s shoes—something few other mediums can accomplish. When audiences experience lives different from their own through cinema, he suggested, it creates understanding that can challenge prejudice and bring communities together.

The legendary actor even invoked Aristotle, noting that philosophers have long recognized art’s power to inspire moral and emotional growth. For Keitel, cinema serves as a healing force, helping society confront its biases while fostering connection.

Keitel also praised his wife, filmmaker and actress Daphna Kastner, calling her an essential creative partner in his career. Rather than simply cheering from the sidelines, he said Kastner actively helps him choose projects and provides invaluable artistic guidance that strengthens his performances and broadens his filmmaking perspective.

Now more than five decades into his career, Keitel said his passion for acting remains unshaken. He stressed that the best films reflect the true complexity of human experience and inspire compassion rather than division—leaving audiences with a stronger sense of understanding.

For Keitel, cinema isn’t just entertainment. It’s a cultural force capable of sparking dialogue, dismantling prejudice and building genuine human connection.