In Barcelona's stage world, there are voices that not only interpret, but also write and direct their own truths. Bernat Muñoz @bernatmuga | bernatmunoz.com She is one of them. Actor, screenwriter, stage creator and director, his career has been woven between stages, cameras and scripts, with a sensitivity that mixes humor, social criticism and genuine emotion.
From works such as the divan —written, directed and starred by him— to his participation in series such as Night and Day o The InnocentBernat has proven that art can be both a mirror and a tool. In this interview, he talks about his beginnings, his creative obsessions, his connection to Barcelona, and the projects that keep him moving.
How do you remember your first steps in the world of theater and acting? Well, with great enthusiasm because it was what I had wanted to do since I was about 15 years old, although also with a certain amount of "fear," since I was aware of the difficulty of being able to dedicate myself to this profession.
What led you to write and direct your own plays? Coincidentally. The first time I wrote and directed was because the first group I taught consisted of 10 girls and one boy. Since I couldn't find a play that suited the idea, I decided to write it myself, and I really liked it so much that I kept going.
The couch has been very well received. How did the idea come about, and what did you want to explore with it? I wanted to show the fears we have as people in relationships, in the workplace, in our insecurities... but I wanted to do it through comedy. And boy, did it work. I thought we'd be scheduled for a month, but we were scheduled for five years.
What role does Barcelona play in your creative process? Honestly, not much. I don't think the place influences the works I write, because I try to tell stories that can happen anywhere. Especially lately, I like to talk about social problems not specific to one city. This is also increasingly complicated with globalization, as problems have also become globalized.
You've worked in television, film, and theater. What does each medium offer you, and which do you find most challenging? In the theater, definitely live, which gives you that extra bit of life. But I also like film and TV because they force you to quickly get into an emotion, which isn't easy either.
How do you balance comedy and social criticism in your works? It's funny, but I think social criticism tends to resonate better with viewers if you approach it through comedy, because you can convey the message without attacking, and I think it makes even viewers who see themselves reflected in your criticism accept it from a different perspective. Obviously, there are topics that can be addressed through comedy, while others I wouldn't know how to do.
What artistic references have marked your career? Since I was a kid, I've always watched a lot of classic films, and those have been my inspirations. They're very broad, no doubt, but to name just a few, since we were talking about comedy and social criticism earlier, I could say Billy Wilder and his mentor Ernst Lubitsch.
How do you see the current panorama of independent theater in Catalonia? Complicated, to be optimistic. There are fewer and fewer venues where we can perform, and there's certainly an A-class circuit, always dominated by the same names and to which there's no access. And unfortunately, this is also spreading to smaller venues where if you're not friends with the programmers, you're out of the running.
What projects do you have underway or in mind for the future? Well, right now I'm very focused on the distribution of my Companyia's latest work: "MicroMacho," a comedy about micromachismos with two incredible actresses (Karen Gutiérrez and Anna García-Cuartero) who play no less than 19 characters.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into acting or writing for plays? Be patient, don't despair, or rush. This profession is a long-distance race, not a 100-meter dash. But above all, enjoy every job you do.
And Bernat Muñoz says goodbye as he lives: between stage and word, with a sharp gaze and a burning heart. Actor, director, screenwriter… but above all, world builderHis voice doesn't seek prominence, it seeks resonance. And as the curtain falls, it becomes clear that his is not just a craft: it is fire, it is form, it is substance. Barcelona has many artists. But few like him, who know that art begins when fear ends.
