Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar did not hold back during his acceptance speech at the 50th annual Chaplin Award ceremony at Alice Tully Hall in New York on Monday. As he accepted the prestigious honor from Film at Lincoln Center, Almodóvar took aim at former President Donald Trump, condemning his leadership.
The celebrated director expressed his doubts about attending the event in a country led by “a narcissistic authority” that he claims disregards human rights. “Trump and his friends, millionaires and oligarchs, cannot convince us that the reality we are seeing with our own eyes is the opposite of what we are living,” Almodóvar said, referring to Trump’s rhetoric. “Immigrants are not criminals. It was Russia that invaded Ukraine.”
Addressing Trump directly, Almodóvar did not hold back. “Mr. Trump, I’m talking to you, and I hope that you hear what I’m going to say to you,” he said. “You will go down in history as the greatest mistake of our time. Your naiveté is only comparable to your violence. You will go down in history as one of the greatest damages to humanity… You will go down in history as a catastrophe.”
In addition to his political remarks, Almodóvar also touched on his strong support for trans rights and discussed his personal experiences that have shaped him as a filmmaker. He also expressed concern over a widespread blackout currently affecting Spain, noting that his thoughts were with those impacted.
The ceremony, which celebrates cinematic excellence, saw appearances by notable figures such as Dua Lipa, John Turturro, John Waters, Rossy de Palma, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Each presenter shared their admiration for Almodóvar, with Waters calling him “the best filmmaker in the world” for his ability to create iconic characters on a modest budget. Turturro, who worked with Almodóvar on The Room Next Door, praised the director’s unique vision and sense of humor.
Dua Lipa, a newer addition to Almodóvar’s circle, highlighted his groundbreaking work in normalizing LGBTQ+ stories in film. “I love how you balance emotion and humor in your stories,” Lipa said. “I especially love how you completely normalized trans and gay roles or storylines, something that feels quite radical these days, and yet there’s a lightness and heart to everything you do.”
Almodóvar’s remarks and the tributes paid to him underscore his enduring impact on both cinema and social issues.
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