JAVIER BARDEM - BARDEM GLAD SPANIARDS ARE TAKING ABOUT EUTHANASIA

JAVIER BARDEM hopes his new movie about euthanasia will encourage people to discuss the contentious issue.

THE SEA INSIDE star, 35, is thrilled people in his native Spain are talking about the implications of ending someone else's life at their request - but refuses to believe it will spearhead any governmental change in policy.

He plays quadriplegic Spanish sailor RAMON SAMPEDRO who in 1998 devised a successful plot to kill himself, involving 11 friends, where each one helped him commit suicide, but no one could be individually held accountable.

Bardem says, "It had a huge impact in Spain, restarting the debate about euthanasia, but I doubt the government will do anything.

"It would be amazing to think your film or your performance had the power to make changes, but it's enough that it makes people talk and think.

"Maybe they shouldn't do anything anyway. The Church has strong feelings and we respect that."