Javier Bardem Receives Donostia Award at San Sebastián Film Festival’s 72nd Edition in Spain
The 72nd edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival opened with a memorable tribute to actor Javier Bardem, who received the prestigious Donostia Award for his contributions to cinema. The award celebrates Bardem's 30-year relationship with the festival, which began when he won the Silver Shell for Best Actor in 1994. Unable to accept the award last year due to the Hollywood writers and actors strike, Bardem returned this year to receive the festival's highest honor.
Bardem, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude to the festival, calling it a place that has deeply impacted both his personal and professional life. He fondly remembered his early career, the directors who helped shape it, and his family members present at the ceremony, including his wife, actress Penélope Cruz, and their children. He dedicated the award to his late mother, Pilar Bardem, whose presence he said he still feels.
The ceremony was hosted by comedians Andreu Buenafuente and Berto Romero, along with actress Bárbara Goenaga. Their humor-packed presentation touched on current global issues like mass tourism and the state of Argentine cinema.
Bardem's acting coach, Juan Carlos Corazza, who presented him with the award, praised Bardem's "truth and honesty" in his craft, stressing that art must be transparent and free of manipulation. He acknowledged Bardem's unwavering dedication to the "fragile and mysterious" art form that is essential to society's well-being.
The Donostia Award has become a hallmark of the San Sebastián Film Festival, with previous Spanish recipients including Fernando Fernán Gómez, Antonio Banderas, and Penélope Cruz. Bardem now joins this distinguished group, marking his legacy in the Spanish and global film industry.
The festival also presented the FIPRESCI Grand Prix for Best Film of the Year to Yorgos Lanthimos for "Poor Things." The award was handed by Brazilian critic Ela Bittencourt to Manuel Muro, Director General of Walt Disney Studios in Spain.
Additionally, Jaione Camborda, the director who won the Golden Shell last year for O Corno (The Rye Horn), presided over the Official Selection Jury this year. She expressed her pride in returning to her homeland for the festival, alongside prominent figures like Argentine writer Leila Guerriero and Greek director Christos Nikou.
The festival continues with two more Donostia Awards to be presented: Cate Blanchett will receive the honor tomorrow, followed by Pedro Almodóvar later in the week. Both ceremonies will be directed by El Terrat, ensuring the events are both meaningful and entertaining.
Audrey Diwan's Emmanuelle had its world premiere at the gala, with the director and cast in attendance. The San Sebastián Festival will screen a total of 254 films from 53 countries, with 694 showings, promising a year rich in cinematic diversity and talent. This edition is also dedicated to the late Alberto Arizaga, the head of technical production for over two decades.