Almodóvar
wins major arts prize in Spain

Gay filmmaker Pedro Almodovar has been presented with one of Spain's highest honors for his body of work. The jury that presented him with the Prince of Asturias prize said the director was chosen "both for his expertise and the honesty of his work, and for the joy and vitality of his scripts, and above all for implanting his roots, which are ours too, into the society of a planet on the verge of a nervous breakdown and which straddles two centuries. His work, rooted in a Spanish society which was opening up to deep changes, has gained a universal dimension through original language that is richly expressive and capable of synthesizing human complexity."

On his way to the Cannes Film Festival to screen his new film, Volver, Almodovar told reporters, "It's one of the most important prizes I've ever received. I feel overwhelmed." Named for Spain's Crown Prince Felipe, the award includes a cash prize worth about $62,000. Prizes were also bestowed in the fields of writing, social sciences, scientific research, communications and humanities, international cooperation, public service, and sports. (The Advocate)