“There are many things to ask of him on a political and physical level”

A big day for Pedro Almodóvar, who this Thursday receives the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in recognition of his career. This festival will also see the premiere of his latest film, The room next doorthe first of his works in English and with which the filmmaker from La Mancha made history again on September 7 by winning the Golden Lion in Venice, becoming the first Spanish director to do so.

Hours before receiving the Donostia Award in San Sebastian, the director of All about my mother o Return He held a press conference to mark the award. He touched on a number of issues, such as the presence of the President of the Government tonight while he collects the prize.

Pedro Sanchez is called “Mr. Handsome”

Almodóvar thanked Pedro Sánchez for his “support” for culture by attending the Donostia Prize awards ceremony on Thursday. And he joked: “Sánchez is a man who, in addition to being our president, is called Mr. Handsome in Europe and the United States. I’m sure you understand, Mr. Guapo.. So, of course, there are many things to ask and say to a man of those characteristics on a political level and on a physical level as well. So, I have to decide, if I become half firecracker or half filmmaker who recognizes an award.“, he said. Almodóvar, who continued with the joke, said that in front of the leader of the Executive he can behave “as if he were a cabaret or something more serious.”

Dart to Almeida

Leaving aside the joke, the man from La Mancha has criticised the fact that this gesture by the socialist leader is not replicated in institutions such as Madrid City Hall. In this sense, he regretted that José Luis Martínez-Almeida or other representatives of the council have not attended the exhibition ‘Madrid, Almodóvar girl’, which is on display at the Condeduque Centre for Contemporary Culture until 20 October.

“The mayor has not yet come to see it. The exhibition was Manuela Carmena’s idea, but it couldn’t be finished when she was there and it’s up to these people to do it.”Almodóvar emphasized, before underlining that “They have received a huge success as a gift”.

About the United States

Continuing his speech, Almodóvar referred to the upcoming US elections and warned that what is decided at the polls “will affect everyone.” “There is still a rampant far right that continues to be denialist. I have a hard time thinking about the far right and the rise it is having around the world”.

In the case of the far right in Spain, the filmmaker has pointed out that they are “ultra-Catholic” politicians. He has stressed that one of the commandments is to “help your neighbour” and has regretted that the priests have “badly educated” him. “I wonder if these far-right and liberal people think about their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren? I don’t think at all about the world they are going to leave them.”.

Climate change and migration in Spain were other topics that he addressed during his appearance.

“I’m in a more exciting moment than I thought. My arrival in San Sebastian has coincided with my birthday, with the Donostia Award and with the viewing of my new film. I am on the verge of tears and at times I have not been able to hold them back.“, he said excitedly one day after turning 75.