Returning to the Lido this year after 2021’s ‘Parallel Mothers’, Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut stars Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore as two friends facing life, death and the controversial topic of euthanasia.
‘The next room‘is the 23rd film by the Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and his first feature film in English.
The script is based on the novel by the New York author Sigrid Nunez‘What is your torment‘. Follow two friends played by Julianne Moore y Tilda Swintonwhich have not been seen in several years. One of them has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and, after meeting her friend again, she asks him for a favor… And a big one.
Almodóvar began the press conference in Venice addressing why, 74 yearswanted to debut in English, after more than three decades working in his native language.
“For me it’s like starting a new genre,” said the filmmaker. “It’s like science fiction. I thought I’d have more problems, because the language is very awkward… but it wasn’t a problem,” he continued, adding that both Swinton and Moore “understood exactly the tone with which I wanted to tell this history: more austere, emotional, but not at all melodramatic“.
The film is about deatha difficult subject for some to approach, and Almodóvar agrees: “I am closer to Julianne’s character in the film.”
As for Swinton, she shared that she feels a closer kinship with her character: “Personally, death doesn’t scare me. The road to acceptance can be long for some people, but for some reason, I realized it early. I know it’s coming. I see her coming. I feel it coming… “But in this movie, we don’t really talk about death at all. It’s more about life, a portrait of self-determination, about someone who decides to take control of his life… of his life and his death”.
In fact, ‘The next room‘ revolves around the controversial issue of euthanasia, and Almodóvar called for greater access to it around the world.
“In Spain we have a law on euthanasia. It should be possible worldwide. “It should be regulated and the doctor should be able to help his patient.”
His comments drew loud applause in the press room.
“This film is in favor of euthanasia,” the director continued. “It’s something we admire about Tilda’s character, as she decides that getting rid of cancer can only be done by making the decision she makes. She finds a way to achieve her goal with the help of her friend, but They have to behave as if they were criminals.”
From 2024, euthanasia will only be legal in four European countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands y Spain; in Portugalthe law is still in force and pending regulation.
Swinton added that “I can’t say I wouldn’t act exactly the same” if I were in his character’s shoes.
‘The next room‘ is Almodóvar’s follow-up to ‘Parallel mothers‘from 2021, which also premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won the Volpi Cup for best actress forPenelope Cruz. The director previously received the festival’s lifetime achievement award in 2019.
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The next room It premiered in the Competition section at this year’s Venice Film Festival and hits theaters in Spain on October 18.
