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Almodovar to be monarchist for a day for Spanish award
2006-10-20
Oddball Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar says he will become a dyed in the wool monarchist for the day when he receives the prestigious Asturias Prize for Art. "I have decided to be absolutely monarchist" for Friday's prizegiving, which is under the aegis of the royal household and which will take place in the northern city of Oviedo, Almodovar told ABC on Thursday. "The rest of the time? I don't see myself as a militant monarchist," explained Almodovar, whose most recent film "Volver" (Return), starring Hollywood star Penelope Cruz, was last month chosen to represent Spain at the upcoming Oscars. Almodovar has already won a foreign language Oscar, for "All About My Mother" in 2000, also featuring Cruz. "The monarchy played an essential role in our original democratic transition" after the end of the Franco military dictatorship in 1975, Almodovar noted. His first film "Pepi, Luci and Bom and Other Girls Like Mom" came just five years after Franco's death as Spain was embarking on a vivid cultural renaissance. "I hope the day never comes when I no longer feel passion making films," said Almodovar, 56, whose international breakthrough came with "Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown" in 1989. Friday will also see former Irish president Mary Robinson receive her Prince of Asturias prize for social sciences for her work as a global rights advocate. The world championship-winning Spanish basketball squad will be honoured with the sports accolade for their recent success and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will receive the prize for international understanding. Spain's Crown Prince Felipe is the patron of the Asturias foundation which annually hands out eight awards -- each worth 50,000 euros (61,000 dollars). The awards are made in the fields of communication and humanities, scientific and technical research, social science, arts, letters, international cooperation, international understanding and sport.
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