He claims that there is a “rampant far-right that continues to be denialist” and warns of the “rise it is having throughout the world”
SAN SEBASTIAN, 26 Sep. (by EUROPA PRESS special correspondent, Francisco Serrano) –
Pedro Almodovar He thanked the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, or as he called him “Mr. Handsome”“, who will attend the Donostia Prize award ceremony this Thursday and has assured that it is a “support” for culture, while joking that “There are many things to ask and say to a man of these characteristics on a political and physical level.”“.
“Sánchez is a man who, in addition to being our president, is called Mr. Handsome in Europe and the United States. 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 at the press conference, where he presented his new film ‘The Room Next Door’.
Almodóvar, who continued with the joke, pointed out that he has many possibilities of behaving in front of Pedro Sánchez, “from cabaret or something more serious“. Regarding Sánchez’s support for culture, the director has criticized that it is not replicated in institutions such as the Madrid City Council and has regretted that he has not attended the exhibition. ‘Madrid, Almodóvar girl’, which they themselves organize at the Conde Duque.
“The mayor has not yet come to see it. The exhibition was Manuela Carmena’s idea, but it could not be finished when she was and it was these ones who got it,” he stressed, before underlining that “they have received a huge success as a gift.”
At this point, he mentioned the character John Torturro from his new film, who says that he “has lost faith in human beings” and acknowledges that this character “is in his voice.”
“He is right to say so because when he states that The worst thing that can happen to a society is for the extreme right to encounter the wildest liberalism.“If these two elements go hand in hand, as is currently the case, we can only imagine that they will make the worst decisions for all of us,” he said.
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.“, he said.
In the case of the far right in Spain, the filmmaker has pointed out that they are “ultra-Catholics”, reminding them that one of the commandments is to “help your neighbour”, while he has assured that the priests have “badly educated” him.I wonder, do these far-right and liberal people think about their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren? “I don’t think at all about the world they will be left behind,” he stressed.
Among his other demands, Almodóvar has referred to climate change, which he warns will affect other countries before it affects Europe. “For For example, in Africa, due to its geographical circumstances, climate change will be felt more and it will be more difficult”he argued.
MIGRATION IN SPAIN
Another of the issues that Almodóvar has referred to has been migration in Spain, a topic in which he has alluded to a political party – without mentioning which one – whose “best” way of fighting immigration “is to send in the Navy and treat them like invaders.”
“Those children who come unaccompanied or any migrant, it is an atrocity that they are treated like this.“It is profoundly stupid because a child invading Spain makes no sense at all. It is tremendously unfair,” he lamented.
In this context, he has praised that in ‘The room next door’ talks about “opening” arms and accompanying and he has argued that this should be the message to be applied. “It will benefit us,” he said.
He also recalled that in Spain there is often talk of a “hollowed out” state in some provinces and he assured that “labor” is needed, so “immigrants should be welcomed.”We are an ageing country and they would be new blood to rejuvenate Spain. In addition, there are several problems that would be solved”he commented.
On the other hand, he has stated that ‘The Room Next Door’ is also about “empathy”, something that, in his opinion, has been repeated during these days at the Zinemaldia. “This San Sebastian festival, I think it could go down in history as a festival where it was repeated many times, and in a very sincere way, the value of empathy, the value of accompanying someone when they need it. Sometimes it is the best we can do”he noted.
He also addressed the issue of death, which he believes should remain a “current” topic. “It is a debate that, naturally, is faced with all religions since the individual, who is the only true master of his life, must remain the master of his death.“, he appealed.
In the case of his new film, the filmmaker has stressed that some of these themes are touched upon and has acknowledged that many of his films are “political without being so.”
