Jesse Eisenberg, the actor best known for playing Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, announced over the weekend that he will receive Polish citizenship. He cited a desire to spend more time in Europe because the mid-budget, character-driven films he loves are becoming harder to produce in Hollywood.
Announcement at Karlovy Vary Film Festival
Eisenberg made the revelation at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, where he was honored with the President's Award before a screening of The Double, a film directed by Richard Ayoade in which he plays the lead role. “Being here has particular meaning for me right now, because in exactly one week I am receiving my Polish citizenship,” Eisenberg said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He explained that his decision was driven by both family heritage and professional considerations. “I pursued Polish citizenship because of my family’s heritage, but also because I want to spend more time in my life and my career working in Europe, specifically Central Europe,” he said. “In America, many of the kind of films that I love so much – human scale, strange mid-budget films – have become increasingly difficult to make, but in Europe, those movies are thriving and celebrated.”
Other Honorees and Festival Highlights
The festival also recognized other notable figures. Dustin Hoffman received the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Contributions to World Cinema, Maggie Gyllenhaal was awarded a President's Award, and Harvey Keitel walked the red carpet.
Eisenberg, who also works as a writer and director, is set to release his new film The Debut, starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, in the fall. The festival described him as “one of the most multifaceted figures in contemporary cinema.”
Eisenberg's Personal Reflections
During the festival, Eisenberg admitted that the screening of The Double was the first time he had actually watched the film. He said he typically avoids watching movies he appears in “because I can't look at my own face,” but noted that he will start doing so now that he is a director.
