Pedro Almodóvar’s highly anticipated first English-language feature, The Room Next Door, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, has been selected as the Centerpiece film at the prestigious 62nd New York Film Festival. This drama, based on Sigrid Nunez’s novel What Are You Going Through, will make its U.S. debut at Alice Tully Hall on October 4th. The film follows the story of Ingrid (Moore), a best-selling writer, rekindling her relationship with her friend Martha (Swinton), a war journalist. As they delve into their pasts, Martha presents a request that challenges their newfound bond.
With The Room Next Door, Almodóvar showcases a shift in his filmmaking style, transitioning from his signature Spanish-language films to an English-language narrative set in Manhattan and upstate New York. The director, known for his exploration of female characters, brings a fresh perspective to this American vernacular. The ensemble cast includes John Turturro, Alessandro Nivola, and Juan Diego Botto, adding a layer of depth to the storytelling.
A Tribute to NYFF
Almodóvar expressed his gratitude towards the New York Film Festival, referring to it as “my bridge to New York audiences for decades.” The director shared his emotional connection to filming a scene at Alice Tully Hall, a location that holds significant memories for him. Dennis Lim, the Artistic Director of NYFF, praised The Room Next Door as a masterpiece created by an artist at the peak of his career. Lim commended the film for its wisdom, stellar performances, and poignant storytelling that resonates with the current cultural moment.
Having been a mainstay at NYFF with 15 selections since 1988, Pedro Almodóvar continues to captivate audiences with his rich and diverse filmography. From his early works like Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown to recent successes such as Pain and Glory, Almodóvar’s films have left a lasting impact on the world of cinema. The Room Next Door marks a new chapter in the director’s illustrious career, blending his unique storytelling sensibilities with a fresh perspective on American narratives.
As The Room Next Door prepares to have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival before its U.S. debut at NYFF, audiences and critics alike are eager to witness Almodóvar’s latest cinematic masterpiece. With Sony Pictures Classics securing domestic rights for the film, the anticipation for its release continues to grow. NYFF, scheduled to run from September 27th to October 14th, promises to be a platform for groundbreaking films like The Room Next Door, setting the stage for impactful storytelling in the world of cinema.