Story perspectives

Almodóvar Calls Leaders ‘Monsters’ as Film Earns Ovation

5/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar called U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin “monsters” during a Cannes press conference.
He presented his new film “Bitter Christmas” at Cannes, which earned a six-minute standing ovation.
Almodóvar said his security lets him wear a “Free Palestine” pin and condemn Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Actor Javier Bardem also denounced the three leaders, labeling their rhetoric toxic masculinity.

History

Historical Context

In 1966 Gillo Pontecorvo’s anti-colonial film *The Battle of Algiers* won the Golden Lion at Venice and was banned in France for five years, only reaching French cinemas in 1971. Its reputation for confronting imperialism inspires today’s Cannes platform, where Pedro Almodóvar and Javier Bardem denounced Trump, Netanyahu and Putin as symbols of oppression.

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Story summary

Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar called U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin “monsters” during a Cannes press conference.
He presented his new film “Bitter Christmas” at Cannes, which earned a six-minute standing ovation.
Almodóvar said his security lets him wear a “Free Palestine” pin and condemn Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Actor Javier Bardem also denounced the three leaders, labeling their rhetoric toxic masculinity.

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