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)