The 82nd Venice Film Festival concluded with a historic win for Pedro Almodóvar, as his first English-language film "The Room Next Door" claimed the prestigious Golden Lion award. The Spanish director's latest work, featuring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, explores the weighty themes of euthanasia and climate change.
Almodóvar, now 74, has been a beloved figure in the festival circuit for decades. His bold and irreverent Spanish-language features have earned him numerous accolades, including an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999 for "All About My Mother". The transition to English-language filmmaking marks a significant milestone in his career, with the director describing it as "like science fiction" for him.
"It's a film in favour of euthanasia"
The director emphasized the importance of cherishing life while advocating for the right to die with dignity. This stance reflects Spain's progressive approach to end-of-life care, as euthanasia has been legal in the country since 2021.
In the acting categories, Nicole Kidman secured the best actress award for her daring role in "Babygirl", portraying a CEO entangled in a toxic affair. Tragically, Kidman was absent from the ceremony due to her mother's unexpected passing. Vincent Lindon claimed the best actor prize for his performance in "The Quiet Son", a timely French-language drama exploring the impact of extreme-right radicalism on a family.
Brady Corbet was named best director for his epic "The Brutalist", a 3.5-hour saga following a Hungarian Holocaust survivor, played by Adrien Brody, as he rebuilds his life in the United States. This recognition adds to Corbet's growing reputation as a filmmaker to watch.
The Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest cinematic showcase founded in 1932, has long been a harbinger of Oscar success. In recent years, eight of the past twelve Best Director Oscar winners premiered their films at Venice, underscoring the festival's significance in the awards season calendar.
Notable films that left the Lido without awards included Todd Phillips's "Joker: Folie à Deux", starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, and Pablo Larraín's Maria Callas biopic "Maria", featuring Angelina Jolie as the celebrated Greek soprano.
This year's jury was led by acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert, whose extensive career spans over 150 film and television credits. Her presence added further prestige to an already illustrious event that continues to shape the landscape of international cinema.