Pedro Almodóvar’s emotional return to San Sebastian

Celebrating a cinematic journey

Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar recently returned to the San Sebastian Film Festival, a place of significant personal and professional importance. Fresh off his Golden Lion win at the Venice Film Festival for his English-language debut, The Room Next Door, Almodóvar was honored with the Donostia Award for career achievement. This recognition marks a poignant moment in his illustrious career, which spans over four decades.

Reflecting on a storied career

During a press conference, Almodóvar reminisced about his first feature film, Pepi, Luci, Bon, which premiered at San Sebastián in 1980. The festival coincided with his 74th birthday, adding to the emotional weight of the occasion. “I couldn’t stop crying and had tears running down my cheeks,” he shared, reflecting on the profound impact the festival has had on his life and career.

Almodóvar acknowledged that Pepi, Luci, Bon was a “very defective film,” yet it marked the beginning of a journey that would see him create 23 features. “Some were better than others, but all of them are mine,” he stated, emphasizing the personal connection he has with each of his works.

The evolution of a filmmaker

Over the years, Almodóvar’s films have garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Oscars and BAFTAs. Alongside his brother Agustín, with whom he founded the production company El Deseo, Almodóvar has always strived for autonomy and independence in his work. This desire to maintain creative control has been a cornerstone of his career.

In recent years, Almodóvar has shifted from melodramas to more serious dramas. “It’s a question of biology,” he explained. While he once focused on erotic scenes, he now seeks a “larger purity” in his storytelling. His latest film, The Room Next Door, is a testament to this evolution, described as “serious, almost funeral” in tone.

Addressing contemporary issues

Almodóvar’s films often tackle pressing social issues, and The Room Next Door is no exception. The film features John Turturro as a climate change doomsayer, a role that resonates with Almodóvar’s own concerns about the environment and political landscape. “If the right [gets into power], they will take decisions for us which are highly negative,” he warned, highlighting the importance of empathy and openness towards immigrants.

Spain’s legalization of euthanasia in 2021 is another topic close to Almodóvar’s heart. He has been a vocal advocate for the right to die with dignity, a theme that also finds its way into his latest work.

Tilda Swinton on working with Almodóvar

Tilda Swinton, who stars in The Room Next Door, expressed her admiration for Almodóvar during the press conference. “I’m sitting here beside him thinking, what a magical blessing in my life it is to have found him,” she said. Swinton described Almodóvar as a “pirate” who brings a youthful spirit and passion to filmmaking.

“He’s like a young filmmaker. He makes a film with all the gusto and passion and is present in a way that I think very many filmmakers are encouraged to give up,” Swinton added. This presence and passion are what audiences, especially younger ones, crave in cinema.

A lasting legacy

As the press conference concluded, Swinton’s words resonated with the audience: “So Pedro forever, frankly.” Almodóvar’s enduring influence on cinema is undeniable, and his commitment to authenticity and emotional depth continues to inspire both filmmakers and viewers alike.

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