Pedro Almodóvar wears “Free Palestine” pin at Cannes
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Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, a prominent figure in international cinema, made a notable political statement at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Attending the press conference for his new film Bitter Christmas, which is competing for the Palme d’Or, the 76-year-old director appeared wearing a “Free Palestine” pin.
During the event, Almodóvar emphasized the responsibility of artists to address contemporary issues. “I don’t want to judge anyone, but I think artists have to speak out about the situation in which they live in contemporary society,” he stated.
“It’s a moral duty. Silence and fear is a symptom that things are going badly.” His remarks drew applause from the international journalists present.
The director also voiced strong criticism of political figures, referring to Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Vladimir Putin as “monsters.”
He urged Europe to act as a “shield” against them and declared, “Europe must never be subjected to Trump.”
Almodóvar referenced the 2026 Academy Awards, noting a perceived lack of protest against ongoing conflicts and political developments.
He highlighted Spanish actor Javier Bardem, a friend, as one of the few voices who publicly stated “Free Palestine” during the ceremony. He suggested that fear has led to widespread silence in Hollywood.
Bitter Christmas marks Almodóvar’s return to filmmaking in his native Spanish language following his English-language project The Room Next Door.
The melodrama, which received a warm reception at its Cannes premiere, explores themes of filmmaking and personal crisis.
The film’s screening was briefly interrupted by a medical emergency, though the incident did not overshadow the overall positive response.
