Pedro Almodovar won the Golden Lion for his film “The Room Next Door”. A death overshadowed the acting award.
Spain’s director star Pedro Almodovar (74) has won the main prize at the Venice Film Festival. He was awarded the Golden Lion on Saturday evening for his pro-euthanasia film “The Room Next Door” (German cinema release: October 24). The film about the friendship of women at the end of life with Tilda Swinton (63) and Julianne Moore (63) in the leading roles was Almodovar’s first English-language feature film.
In Almodovar’s award-winning film – which, like many of his films, relies on strong female characters – Swinton plays a war correspondent suffering from terminal cancer who asks her friend, played by Moore, to stand by her when she takes her own life.
“I believe that a clean and dignified departure from this world is a fundamental right of every human being,” said Almodovar after accepting his award. “It is not a political question, but a human one.” He admitted that “this right violates any religion or creed that sees God as the only source of life.” The successful director, whose films in recent years have addressed death or physical decay, continued: “I would like to ask the followers of all religions to respect individual decisions in this regard and not to interfere with them.”
Almodovar was honored with a lifetime achievement award in Venice five years ago.
Death overshadows acting awards
The acting award for best actress went to Australian Hollywood star Nicole Kidman (57). She received the award for her role in the erotic thriller “Babygirl” (German cinema release: January 16, 2025).
However, she was unable to accept the award in person due to the unexpected death of her mother. “My heart is broken,” said the actress in a statement that was read out on stage on her behalf by the film’s Dutch director, Halina Reijn (48). “I am in shock and I have to go to my family. But this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me and she made me,” said Kidman about her mother.
Kidman was praised by critics during the 10-day festival for her raw performance in the sexually explicit film about female desire and power dynamics. She plays a fearless CEO who has a dangerous affair with a much younger intern.
Further awards
The Grand Jury Prize, which is the second prize alongside the Golden Lion, went to the Italian film “Vermiglio” by director Maura Delpero (48). It tells of the effects of the Second World War on a remote mountain village.
The experienced French actor Vincent Lindon (65) received the award for best actor for “The Quiet Son”. In it, Lindon plays a single father who wants to prevent his teenage son from slipping into right-wing extremism. He prevailed against the much-acclaimed performances of former Bond actor Daniel Craig (56) and Adrien Brody (51).
At the beginning of the festival, the American actress Sigourney Weaver (74) and the Australian director Peter Weir (80) were also honored for their lifetime achievements.
Source: Stern
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