LOS ANGELES: Eleven years after his first solo film and 18 years after debuting in “Shrek 2,” Puss in Boots is back in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," now showing in cinemas across the Middle East.
Salma Hayek, who voices Kitty Softpaws alongside Antonio Banderas' Puss in the animated adventure, said: "We've been wanting to do this, Antonio and I, for the whole decade. And there were some hopes that it was going to get done like four times in the middle, and then it didn't happen. And I'm glad it didn't because it was for the better."
The story sees legendary hero Puss in Boots losing his magical immortality and living his ninth and final life. To regain his former glory, he races to find the mythic wishing star, fighting against villains and his own fear of having to give up his life of adventure.
"The movie is very daring. It steps in a territory which allowed us to go a little bit deeper, and, you know, so exploring the complexities and the depth of the human spirit," said Banderas to Arab News. "If I had nine lives, of course I would be a fantastic hero because, you know, I wouldn't be afraid of dying. But if you have one, the whole entire ballgame changes."
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” also had its Middle East premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. (Supplied)
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” has already received recognition at the Golden Globes where it’s been nominated for best animated feature and at the Red Sea Film Festival where Banderas screened the movie for fans.
About his time in Jeddah during the film festival, Banderas said, "Even just to be there supporting, you know, the government that is taking this action, that is opening their hand, and it's allowing cinema to be seen there. I want to go back and I would like to spend more time there and see more, you know, to understand the character of the people, the personality, the personality of the country, and where they are going. It would be great. But I had a great time."
