Pedro Almodóvar has once again conquered the Cannes Film Festival. If a few years ago he won the second prize with “Pain and Glory,” this time he has delighted everyone with a half-hour short film starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke: “Strange Way of Life.” Shot in English and very different from his usual style, the filmmaker has managed to move a captivated audience.
For over a minute, the applause of the Cannes Film Festival audience could be heard, as they gave a standing ovation to the short film for all that it represents: from its perspective on homosexuality in a western, something that had only been done before in “Brokeback Mountain” and in a very different way, to the spectacular performances by Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke.
In fact, Ethan Hawke was present at the film’s presentation alongside Pedro Almodóvar, and he made it clear that he is very proud of the work he has done with the Spanish director. Pedro Pascal, on the other hand, couldn’t attend, and while there is no official confirmation of the reason for his absence, everything seems to indicate that he is busy with preparations for “Gladiator 2,” where he will have a yet-to-be-revealed character.
Strange Way of Life, the Spanish title of the film, has emerged as a moving movie that reminds us a lot of the story of Bill and Frank in “The Last of Us.” However, it is set in a Spanish western and has a much more “Almodovarian” storyline. Between tragedy, comedy, and romance, the film has become a major milestone at the festival.
Furthermore, it has paved the way for Pedro Almodóvar to start filming in English. He had previously done so with another short film starring Tilda Swinton, but now it seems like the right time for the Spanish director to venture into an English-language feature film and conquer the American market. In fact, despite his many years in the film industry, he is currently experiencing one of the sweetest moments in his career.
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