Pedro Almodovar will be nominated for best director at the Oscars. Currently Bong Joon Ho, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino lead the pack. Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig, Sam Mendes, Todd Phillips and Taika Waititi are fighting for the 4th spot. The 5th is booked for Almodovar. He might not appear on any director shortlist before January 13th, but his name will be called on the day when it most matters. There are 3 reasons why he’ll be nominated...
1. He made a great movie
Pain and Glory debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. Made the rounds at the fall film festivals in North America. It was released in early October; and through the months it has been warmly received wherever it screened. Reviews are almost unanimously positive if not downright ecstatic. People love it and can't help but be moved by it. That final shot takes the breath away and opens the floodgates of emotions and tears. Antonio Banderas won many critics awards for his performance incluing the big two NYFCC and LAFCA.
2. He made the movie many in the directors branch would admire
In his 70th year Almodovar made his most personal film. He made a film about all the things that he’s been obsessed with throughout the years. He made an homage to himself and to his art. He made it collaborating with the people who’ve been most important to his career. He took from his life and the lives of his loved ones to feed his auto-fiction. And the result fused all these things together seamlessly. That is exactly what most directors wish they’d make as they enter the last phase of their careers. They will recognize the achievement and nominate him.
3. The Academy knows and loves Almodovar
Almodovar has been a working director since the 1970s. He’s one of a select group of mostly European directors whose every film is released in the US. He’s won 2 Oscars; foreign film for All About My Mother (1999) and Original Screenplay for Talk to Her (2002). Yes technically Spain won that first Oscar but yeah he’s a 2 time Oscar winner. The academy knows and loves his work and have recognized him before. They will watch the screener and vote for him.
Who are you predicting for the 4th and 5th slot?