Pedro Almodóvar Celebrates ‘The Room Next Door’ at Venice Film Festival After-Party

Pedro Almodóvar Celebrates at Venice After-Party for “The Room Next Door”

At the Venice Film Festival’s after-party on Monday night for his latest film, “The Room Next Door,” renowned director Pedro Almodóvar radiated joy as he engaged with his leading ladies, Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. The affection among the trio was palpable, with a sense of camaraderie that transcended mere professional ties. However, it wasn’t just their chemistry that captivated the room; the dazzling sequined gowns worn by Moore and Swinton reflected the ambient light, creating an almost magical atmosphere around them.

Almodóvar expressed his admiration for his stars, stating, “They are not just actors now; they are like monuments.” This sentiment was beautifully echoed in the film’s promotional poster, which presents their iconic faces in profile, reminiscent of monumental mountain ranges. In a playful moment, Moore quipped, “Big peaks,” to which Swinton added with a laugh, “Big sparkly peaks.” She continued, “We can only wear sequins for the rest of our lives.”

Adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s novel What Are You Going Through, “The Room Next Door” features Moore as Ingrid, a celebrated author who learns that her former colleague Martha (played by Swinton) is hospitalized with terminal cervical cancer. The film beautifully captures their heartfelt reunion as they share stories and rekindle their friendship. However, the emotional weight of Martha’s condition brings forth a significant request.

As Martha grapples with the reality of her situation and the limitations of her experimental treatments, she has arranged a retreat to a vacation house in upstate New York, where she plans to take a drug she acquired from the dark web. She turns to Ingrid, asking if she would be willing to accompany her on this journey, fully aware that it will culminate in Martha’s decision to end her life in the room next door.

Despite his proficiency in English, Almodóvar had long hesitated to direct a feature film in the language. As we conversed, a translator remained close by for any linguistic challenges he might face. However, the success of his recent short films in English — including the unique gay western Strange Way of Life and the poignant Swinton monologue The Human Voice — encouraged him to finally craft his first feature-length screenplay in English.

Almodóvar’s cinematic artistry extends beyond dialogue; “The Room Next Door” is a visual feast. The film is adorned with aesthetic pleasures, from a lavender sweater to an olive green couch and a meticulously chosen shade of burgundy lipstick. One particularly enchanting sequence involves Ingrid and Martha rummaging through Martha’s apartment, revealing drawers filled with an array of charming knickknacks. Much of the film is set in a breathtaking vacation house in upstate New York, an architectural marvel that captivates both the characters and the audience, leaving one to ponder, “I’d die to live there, too.”