Pedro Almodovar, Esther Garcia

Source: SIFF/Ulises Proust

Pedro Almodóvar presents the Donostia award to Esther García

The San Sebastian International Film (SIFF) opened on Friday night (September 19) with a warmly greeted introduction by Spanish actresses Silvia Abril and Toni Acosta in which they expressed “our support for the people of Palestine” and denounced the genocide being committed in Gaza.

El Deseo producer Esther García was presented with the honorary Donostia award by Pedro Almodovar. García has devoted much of her career to the films of Almodóvar but one of her latest triumphs is Oliver Laxe’s Sirât, Spain official entry for best international feature at the Oscars.

When presenting the award to García, Almodovor said: “My films are so free because Esther and my brother [Agustin] have been protecting my back.”

García invoked as her personal references veteran women who were pioneers in Spanish cinema and production, including directors Pilar Miró, Josefina Molina, Patricia Ferreira, and producer Cristina Huete.

“There were very few of us, but we fought, and we have kept seeking space in this beloved profession,” she said. “There’s much to do, but not one step back, sisters.”

García ended her speech demanding, “Let’s stand up for women’s rights. Too many still suffer from gender-based violence and the wage gap.

“Let’s unite to stop these unjust and abhorrent actions in Ukraine,” she continued. “And to demand an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza. In the face of this widespread current of ‘the law of the strongest,’ let us fight to defend the most fragile. We are all fragile.”

J. A. Bayona, president of the official jury, introduced his fellow jurors: Portuguese director Laura Carreira, US filmmaker Gia Coppola, Chinese actor Zhou Dongyu, Argentinian actress and singer Lali Espósito, UK actor Mark Strong and French producer and actress Anne-Dominique Toussaint.

Actress Juliette Binoche took part in the presentation of the special screenings whowcase, offering a portrait of her admired Marisa Paredes (to whom the festival poster is dedicated) and who was honoured throughout the gala. Binoche praised Paredes for defending her desire to become an actress and also for standing in defence of human rights.

Binoche also expressed her solidarity with those who dream of ending the massacre in Palestine: “Let us aspire to a better place. Tonight I want to stand with those who dream of an end to the massacres in Palestine.

“I also wish for the release of the Israeli hostages being held in terrible conditions.”

The Fipresci award, voted on by more than 700 critics from 75 countries, was presented to Walter Salles’s I’m Still Here. On receiving it, the Brazilian director said: “Thank you, Fipresci, for being fundamental allies in the fight against oblivion and in the defence of democracy. Now this has a vital meaning.”

After the gala, the festival officially launched with the screening of comedy-drama 27 Nights, from Uruguayan actor-director Daniel Hendler for Netflix.

 

Topics