Pro-euthanasia film “The Room Next Door” wins the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. The movie, which addresses critical themes of euthanasia and climate change, is Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s first English-language movie.
Starring Tilda Swinton, who plays a woman with cervical cancer and seeks to end her own life peacefully, and Julianne Moore, her companion, The Room Next Door enjoyed an 18-minute standing ovation after premiering at Venice earlier in the week – a rare occurrence in recent times.
Tackling Important Issues “Without Melodrama”
While accepting the Venice Film Festival’s Best Award, 74-year-old Almodovar told the audience, “I believe that saying goodbye to this world cleanly and with dignity is a fundamental right of every human being. It is not a political issue, but a human issue.” The Spanish director says he made the movie to inform viewers that euthanasia should be available globally.
The Oscar winner also appreciated actresses Moore and Swinton for their roles, saying the movie "is about two women and the two women are Julianne and Tilda." "This award really belongs to them," Almodovar declared.
Meanwhile, French actor Isabelle Huppert, who serves as jury president, said the film thoughtfully addressed important issues "without melodrama." The Room Next Door was highly tipped to win the Gold Lion medal and looks on track to be one of the most talked-about films of the awards season.
However, while The Room Next Door's feat at Venice was no surprise, Silver Medalist "Vermiglio" from Italian director Maura Delpero surprised many. Vermiglio was a slow-paced drama set in the Italian Alps during World War Two.
Per other award winners, American director Brady Corbet won the best director award for “The Brutalist.” The 3-1/2 hour-long movie was shot on 70mm celluloid and recounted the epic tale of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor played by Adrien Brody, who sought to rebuild his life in the United States.
Corbet prided himself in shooting on a 70mm celluloid during his Saturday appreciation speech, "We have the power to support each other and tell the Goliath corporations that try and push us around; 'NO, it's three-and-a-half hours long and it's on 70mm'."
France’s Vincent Lindon emerged as the best actor for his role in “The Quiet Son,” a topical, French-language drama about a family torn apart by extreme-right radicalism. Australia’s Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress award for her role in “Babygirl” but couldn’t attend the awards ceremony after learning about her mother’s unexpected death.
Final Remarks
Pro-Euthanasia film The Room Next Door, wins the Gold Lion medal at the Venice Film Festival, the highest for any movie. Jury president Isabelle Huppert says the movie addresses important issues thoughtfully and without "melodrama" while commenting on the highly anticipated feat. The festival signals the beginning of the awards season and typically throws up top favorites for the Oscars. Historically, eight of the past 12 Best Director award winners at the Oscars debuted in Venice.