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I personally am not frightened of death, and I never have been, Swinton revealed.
Because of certain experiences in my life, I became aware early.
I know its coming.
I feel it coming.
I see it coming.
Its about a triumph, I think.
After four decades in Spanish-language cinema, the film marks Almodovars first English-language feature.
(He will remain 74 for three more weeks.)
Unlike his star, Almodovar recalled that the film had helped him process his own feelings around death.
I cannot understand that something that is alive has to die, he said.
The way that I feel is that every day thats passed is a day less that I have.
And I wouldnt like to just feel that it was a day more that I lived.
He also spoke unambiguously about his films theme.
This movie is in favor of euthanasia, he said, to a round of applause from the audience.
We have a law in Spain [legalizing] euthanasia.
There should be the possibility to have euthanasia all over the world.
(BeforeThe Room Next Door, he also made two English-language shorts, one of which starred Swinton.)
I know how to do ladies of that period, he said, to chuckles.
He confessed he thought he would have more problems on the film than he did.
More conventional, more austere.
Emotional, but not melodramatic at all.
What I didnt realize was, its just Pedro.
She remembered walking into his apartment for the first time.
Theres so much of him in every single thing he does.
He was occupying a very similar space to us, she said.
We all immediately went, Theres a cousin in Madrid, and we are waving at you.
He was the face of a huge cultural change.
She recalled lobbying the director for a part in one of his films.
He just laughed very sweetly, and I thought,At least I said it.
To finally get the chance was a form of grace, she said.
He has continued to be the master that he always was.
And yet his inner child remained alive and well, Swinton said, He is seven and a half.
