On Saturday, Pedro Almodovar of Spain was awarded the Golden Lion at Venice for his film “The Room Next Door,” which advocates for euthanasia. Nicole Kidman and Vincent Lindon of France were awarded the acting awards.
Almodovar’s inaugural English-language feature-length film was a film about the end of life of a female companionship, featuring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.
Swinton portrays a war correspondent who is afflicted with terminal illness in the film, which, like numerous Almodovar works, is predicated on the strength of its female characters. She requests that her companion, Moore, accompany her as she commits suicide.
After accepting his award, Almodovar stated, “I am of the opinion that it is a fundamental right of every human being to bid farewell to this world in a dignified and clean manner.” “It is not a political issue, but a human one.”
He acknowledged the fact that “this right goes against any religion or creed that has God as the only source of life” .
The prolific director, whose films have recently explored themes of mortality or physical decline, requested that practitioners of any creed respect and refrain from intervening in individual decisions in this regard.
The film addresses significant issues in a deliberate and non-melodramatic manner, according to the president of the jury, the French actor Isabelle Huppert. She also praised the performances of the two main actors.
Five years ago, Venice presented Almodovar with a career achievement award.
