In a monumental moment at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, September 7, 2024, world-renowned Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s maiden English-language film, “The Room Next Door,” emerged victorious by clinching the prestigious Golden Lion award. This gripping drama delves into profound themes such as euthanasia and climate change, garnering respect and admiration within the cinematic community.
Anticipation had been at a fever pitch since the film’s premiere, where it was met with an overwhelming 18-minute standing ovation — the longest in recent festival memory. Fronted by star-studded performances from Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, “The Room Next Door” has been hailed both for its bold narrative and its emotional depth.
Almodovar, already a beloved figure in global cinema, was previously celebrated at Venice in 2019 with a lifetime achievement award, honoring his audacious and often humorous Spanish-language oeuvre. His illustrious career also boasts an Oscar win in the Best Foreign Language Film category for his 1999 classic “All About My Mother.” At 74, Almodovar ventured into English filmmaking, an experience he likened to exploring uncharted territory. Before the premiere, he expressed that his new film underscores the sanctity of life while affirming the right to die with dignity.
“It’s a film in favour of euthanasia,” stated Almodovar, denouncing nations like the United States where euthanasia remains illegal, contrary to the laws in his native Spain.
While “The Room Next Door” was widely expected to secure a top honor, the Silver Lion award came as an unexpected triumph for Italian director Maura Delpero. Her slow-burning World War Two drama, “Vermiglio,” set against the brooding backdrop of the Italian Alps, impressed audiences and critics alike.
The night’s accolades continued with Australia’s Nicole Kidman winning the Best Actress award for her daring role in the erotic thriller “Babygirl.” Kidman portrayed a determined CEO whose life spirals out of control due to a toxic affair with a young, manipulative intern — a performance that left a lasting impact at the festival. Despite being present in Venice earlier, Kidman did not attend the award ceremony, having received the tragic news of her mother’s sudden passing. Director Halina Reijn accepted the Volpi Cup award on Kidman’s behalf, reflecting the actress’s commitment and emotional strength.
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The Best Actor award went to France’s Vincent Lindon for “The Quiet Son,” a resonant French-language drama exploring the rifts within a family besieged by far-right radicalism.
American filmmaker Brady Corbet won the Best Director award for his sprawling 3-1/2 hour epic, “The Brutalist.” This film, which stars Adrien Brody as a Hungarian Holocaust survivor aiming to rebuild his life in the United States, is a richly layered narrative that captivated festival-goers.
Venice Film Festival, serving as the inauguration of the awards season, often highlights future Oscar contenders. Notably, eight of the past 12 Best Director Oscar winners premiered their award-winning films at Venice. This year’s festival was chaired by French actress Isabelle Huppert, further elevating the event’s prestige.
The prize for Best Screenplay was awarded to Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega for “I’m Still Here,” which poignantly addresses Brazil’s military dictatorship. Additionally, the Special Jury Award went to “April,” an emotional abortion drama directed by Georgian filmmaker Dea Kulumbegashvili.
Despite garnering critical praise, some notable films departed the Lido island empty-handed. Among them were “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the highly anticipated sequel to Todd Phillips’s original hit starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, and “Queer,” Luca Guadagnino’s edgy narrative featuring Daniel Craig as a gay drug addict. Also, “Maria,” a biopic of the iconic soprano Maria Callas directed by Pablo Larrain and starring Angelina Jolie, failed to clinch any awards despite earning rave reviews.
The festival was rich with other memorable moments, including the Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion bestowed upon Sigourney Weaver at the festival opening. Additionally, discussions ranged from the mafia’s portrayal in Sicilian cinema to intimate revelations from George Clooney about collaborating with Brad Pitt in “Wolfs.”
As the curtain falls on another illustrious edition of the Venice Film Festival, the showcased films continue to reverberate, setting the stage for the forthcoming awards season and captivating audiences around the globe.
