The Venice Film Festival has come to a close, as Pedro Almodóvar's The Room Next Door won the Golden Lion for Best Film, a first for the Spanish director. Based on the novel What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez, the story follows two women as they rekindle their close friendship while one of them fights terminal cancer.
It was a heartfelt acceptance speech by Almodóvar, showing how much family means to him. When The Room Next Door premiered, it received an incredible 18-minute standing ovation and seemed to make an impression on audiences and critics at the Venice Film Festival.
Other wins included Best Director going to Brady Corbet for the three-and-a-half-hour-long film about a Hungarian Holocaust survivor, The Brutalist, and Best Actress to Nicole Kidman for Babygirl. The festival ran from August 28, 2024, to September 7, 2024.
Pedro Almodóvar wins Golden Lion for The Room Next Door at the Venice Film Festival
The Room Next Door had dark themes, such as euthanasia and the climate crisis. The story centers on Ingrid, an author, played by Julianne Moore, and Martha, her friend, played by Tilda Swinton, who asks her for help to end her life. It's a request that will push the limits of their personal and social bonds.
Against the scenery of great memories, art, and friendship, The Rom Next Door struck a chord with the Venice crowd, getting a standing ovation. Moving into English-language films is a new phase for the 74-year-old director, Almodóvar.
In his acceptance speech, Almodóvar talked about what the film meant to him:
“This movie The Room Next Door, it is my first movie in English, but the spirit is Spanish.”
The film has a considerate attitude toward euthanasia, which corresponds with Almodóvar's belief in everyone's right to die with dignity. He said it's pro-euthanasia, pointing out the differences between its legality in Spain and illegality in the USA.
Key winners at the Venice Film Festival have diverse storytelling
Besides Almodóvar's big win, the 2024 Venice Film Festival had great tales. Brady Corbet took home the Silver Lion for Best Director with his film The Brutalist. A historical drama about a Hungarian architect during post-war America, it received rave reviews. This, if Venice Film Festival buzz is to be believed, made Corbet's film the top pick among critics at Venice this year.
Nicole Kidman won Best Actress for Babygirl. Though she couldn't attend due to her mom's sudden death, the director, Halina Reijn, shared her comments.
“This award is for her… I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you,” Reijn read, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Babygirl, on the other hand, is an erotic thriller with Antonio Banderas. It brought out an exceptional talent in Kidman, especially when she played a CEO in a messy affair that changed her life.
Vincent Lindon won Best Actor for the French drama The Quiet Son, centered on the political tensions within a family. His acting as a father trying to make his house home despite the different beliefs among his members placed him among the greatest talents of this Venice festival.
Pedro Almodóvar's The Room Next Door is coming soon to theatres.
Nicole Kidman's Babygirl and Brady Corbet's The Brutalist are also headed for wider international release.
