Pedro Almodóvar, Julianne Moore & Tilda Swinton Discuss Life & Death – Venice

Spanish master Pedro Almodóvar has returned to the Venice Film Festival with his first English-language feature, The Room Next Door. The film makes its world premiere in competition this evening.

After debuting his first English-language short, The Human Voice, at Venice in 2020, Almodóvar is back with stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. The trio met with the press this afternoon after the first screenings to discuss themes like euthanasia, climate change, and female friendships.

In The Room Next Door, Julianne Moore plays Ingrid, a best-selling writer who rekindles a relationship with her friend Martha, a war journalist portrayed by Tilda Swinton. The film explores their pasts and tests their bond through Martha’s significant request. The cast also includes Alessandro Nivola, Juan Diego Botto, Raúl Arévalo, Melina Mathews, and Victoria Luengo.

Almodóvar adapted the screenplay from Sigrid Nunez’s 2020 novel What Are You Going Through. He decided to make his first English film to “start a new era,” finding inspiration within the pages of the book. Almodóvar mentioned being particularly captivated by the chapter where Ingrid visits her friend in the hospital. The characters were developed from the mid-1980s era, which he lovingly described, saying, “I know how to treat two ladies of that period.”

Language was not a barrier, according to Almodóvar, as both Swinton and Moore grasped the tone he aimed to convey. He praised them as “a festival of two wonderful actresses.”

Almodóvar wants The Room Next Door to reflect “the state of the planet and the state of people.” He also seeks to clearly express his views on euthanasia, which becomes central following Martha’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Almodóvar remarked, “You have to be able to be the owner of your own experience… We have a law in Spain on euthanasia; there should be the possibility to have it all over the world.”

Regarding the film’s themes, Swinton stated, “I am not frightened of death and have never been.” She described the film as “a celebration” and “very real and relatable,” admitting she might act similarly to her character if faced with the same situation.

Swinton further mused that the film is ultimately a love story between Ingrid and Martha, highlighting the essential friendship at its heart. It also tackles evolution, whether through war or climate catastrophe. She emphasizes the film’s faith in the inevitability of evolution.

Moore commended Almodóvar for focusing on female friendship, particularly among older women. She noted, “I don’t know another filmmaker in the world that would do that other than Pedro.” She praised these relationships as “unsung” and of immense importance.

Moore found working with Almodóvar an incredible experience, reflecting on years of admiring his films. “His movies have so vibrated with life and humanity to be a part of that… was incredibly exciting.”

Swinton, who collaborated with Almodóvar on The Human Voice, expressed her surprise and delight in finding a place in his cinematic vision once more.

In June, Warner Bros acquired key international markets for The Room Next Door, including Spain, the UK, Germany, Italy, the Nordics, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, and some parts of Asia-Pacific like Japan.

Almodóvar’s frequent collaborators at Sony Pictures Classics hold the rights for North America, the Middle East, India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. A North American release is set for December 20.

Produced by Almodóvar’s El Deseo, The Room Next Door was shot between Madrid and New York, with the support of Movistar Plus+.

This marks Almodóvar’s first feature-length project since 2021’s Parallel Mothers, which also premiered in Venice, earning Penelope Cruz the Best Actress Volpi Cup for her role.

After its premiere at Venice, The Room Next Door will be the Centerpiece selection at the 62nd New York Film Festival in October.