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 who confront life, death, and the controversial topic of euthanasia.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Room Next Door is Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar's 23rd film but his first full-length project in English.
Based on Sigrid Nunez’s novel "What Are You Going Through", it follows two friends (Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton) who haven’t seen each other in several years. It turns out that one of them has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and after reconnecting with her friend, asks for a favour... And a big one at that.
Almodóvar began the press conference in Venice by addressing why, at the age of 74, he wanted to make his English-language debut, after more than three decades working in his native tongue.
“For me it’s like starting a new genre,” said the filmmaker. “It’s like science fiction.”
“I thought I would have more problems, as the language is very awkward – but it was not a problem,” he continued, adding that both Swinton and Moore “understood exactly the tone I wanted to tell this story – more austere, emotional but not melodramatic at all.”
The film deals with death, a difficult topic to address for some, and Almodóvar agrees: “I’m closer to Julianne’s character in the film – I cannot understand that something that is alive has to die.”
As for Swinton, she shared she feels a closer kinship to her character: “I personally am not frightened of death. The journey of acceptance can be long for some people, but for some reason, I became aware early. I know it’s coming. I see it coming. I feel it coming..."
She continued: "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 her life and her living and her dying into her own hands.”
Indeed, The Room Next Door centres around the controversial topic of euthanasia, and Almodóvar called for greater access to it worldwide.
“We have a law in Spain on euthanasia. It should be possible to have all over the world. It should be regulated and the doctor should be allowed to help his patient.”
His comments provoked loud applause from the press conference room.
“This movie is in favour of euthanasia,” continued the director. “It is something we admire about the character of Tilda, as she decides that getting rid of cancer can only be done by taking the decision she makes. She finds a way to reach her objective with the help of her friend, but they have to behave as if they were criminals.”
As of 2024, euthanasia is legal in only four countries in Europe: Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain – with the law in Portugal yet in force and awaiting regulation.
Swinton added that she “can’t say I wouldn’t act in exactly the same way” if she were in her character’s shoes.
The Room Next Door is Almodóvar’s follow-up to 2021’s Parallel Mothers, which also premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Penélope Cruz. The director previously received the festival’s lifetime achievement award in 2019.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Room Next Door premiered in Competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival and hits theatres in Spain on 18 October. Further theatrical release dates TBC.
