First reactions of the Goya nominees

For Agustín Almodóvar, the four stories that aspire to the Goya for best film and director are an example of "variety and quality: a western, a period one,... I wouldn't know how to make predictions, but we are in very good company. There is going to be an interesting tension. We coincided with 'Blackthorn' in the cinemas of New York, and that made me very excited."

After learning about the nominations for the XXVI Goya Academy Awards, producer Agustín Almodóvar did not hide his happiness at the good result of The skin I live in. "It is a great compliment that the academics take us into consideration in almost all the categories that we have proposed. The Kings have been great," declared this veteran professional and member of the institution, to which he returned this year. "This is a wonderful welcome, but the situation with the Academy was already fully normalized because the institution has changed a lot in recent years. The gesture of the colleagues undoubtedly strengthens this relationship. We are very delighted," he added.

The producer and co-owner of El Deseo did not want to comment on the possible Goya of The skin I live in. "Pedro is very independent in his decisions, his projects are not related a priori to awards, a commercial career or an audience. He starts to think about it when the film is finished. I'm not going to call him suicidal, but almost because he takes risks that he shouldn't and has nothing to prove in a 30-year career. But he needs that stimulus, that risk... This film is very dark, but he has managed to make it transcend and talk about other things than the mere abuse of power. These types of things make me admire him even more, "He needs that feeling of risk after spending so many years in his career."

They don't think about Goyas or the Oscars "because it is a very special year. The feeling is good, but it is complicated by the dispersion of titles." And the Golden Globes? "Well, we have won it twice and we are relaxed, without thinking about whether we are going to win or not. This confirms us as the producer that is in that select group of those that travel with each of the jobs they do."

For Agustín Almodóvar, the four stories that aspire to the Goya for best film and director are an example of "variety and quality: a western, a period one,... I wouldn't know how to make predictions, but we are in very good company. There is going to be an interesting tension. We agree with Blackthorn in the theaters of New York, and that made me very excited.”

Convinced that the awards "are always full of positivity," the producer indicated that his brother was very excited "to be in almost all the categories that we have presented. I don't know the final result because it enters the world of the therapist, how the mood catches your day...".

Agustín Almodóvar was accompanied by Jan Cornet, finalist for the Goya for Best New Actor, a section in which he will compete against José Mota, Marc Clotet and Adrián Lastra. "I have seen all the films that I compete with in my category, except The Spark of Life. It is difficult to get it, but I would love to have the Goya," declared the Catalan interpreter.

The sleeping voice

“The director is the one who steers the ship, but if we are in the best film category we are all represented,” said the author of The sleeping voice, Benito Zambrano, for whom cinema "is suffering from what is happening in the country, but we are showing that we are a strong cinematography in the world and in Europe. The gala is going to be close, but that is nice because it leaves cinema at a high level. We hope this encourages people to go to theaters more."

With nine options for awards, The Sleeping Voice is "a period film. It is very difficult to make a post-war film in this country, and feeling the support of the people working hard has made me see that enthusiasm is the most important thing."

Zambrano said that the public is going to see "what they want to see, that is the punishment or the gift. I don't know if it's unfair, but it's a shame that the box office has gone down and it's our turn. They've put so much fear into our bodies that people are paralyzed."

For the director and co-writer of The sleeping voice, which according to its producer, Antonio Pérez, could return to the billboards, its works are "the script and the cast. It is what I dedicate the most time to, I make them suffer a lot. María León had to fight for the role, and that she and Inma Cuesta are finalists makes me happy because they should be rewarded for their strength and work well done."

Pedro Almodóvar is a reference for Zambrano, who understands that on February 19 "a very nice match" will be held.

A western at the Goya

For his part, the Canarian Mateo Gil, who with his second film behind the camera, Blacktorn, has eleven chances of winning the Goya, commented that "all of us who made this western are very proud. People in the industry didn't see the project because it was on the billboard for a very short time, that's why we didn't expect this."

"You're always sad when a film doesn't show what you'd like and you're always happy that your colleagues have been encouraged to watch it and vote for it. That reassures us a little because doubts arise about what you've done, whether it's strange or not... I would be happy to re-release it for the distributor, and for the producers, because there would be people who would see it and get more out of the story," added Gil.

A regular screenwriter for Amenábar, Gil commented that this year there were "very good" productions. I didn't expect us to be among the main ones. There are fantastic films that are not there like the one by Balagueró (Mientras dormes) and Armendáriz (Don't be afraid). Since we came as a covered film, we are already awarded."

He did not hide that he would have liked his friend Eduardo Noriega to be among the finalists. "I admire his work, his evolution and his dedication. In the case of Sam Shepard I know that his work has been highly valued, but being an American actor it is more complicated, and I don't think he needs it much either."

Successful short film director, Eduardo Chapero-Jackson has managed to appear in three Goya categories with his baptism in the feature film, Verb. “I'm excited that Alba García (breakthrough actress) and also Nach's song came out because they put their soul and poetry in the film.”

After qualifying Verb of “hard and risky” work, Chapero-Jackson pointed out that the grand prize would be the re-release of the film. Awards are what they are, they have their value, but there are always people with great work who don't win it and I remember a lot about them. For me this has a lot of value because it is my first feature film.”

The 'third cousin' and Coronado

Juanjo Artero was happy with his chance at the Goya for Best Supporting Male Performance for There will be no peace for the wicked, the second film with the most options for recognition, winning a place in fourteen categories. "If I knew why the awards and the box office had not responded before, Urbizu would have the secret key. The good thing is that this time he has been recognized."

He did not expect to be in the quartet, "but I had some hope because the film sounded strong. I knew I was going to have many options," declared this well-known actor, who has been fighting for years on television and theater. “Being a finalist is very good, it is a push and a great joy.”

Rául Arévalo and Adrián Lastra, names of Cousins. "I love that they have taken me into account for a comedy, which is not usual," commented Arévalo, while Lastra said he was "in shock. It is my first film, a comedy, and it was released a long time ago." Both Arévalo and Lastra were missing “the third cousin”, Quim Gutiérrez.

Between over and over, Inma Cuesta and Lluís Homar learned their status as finalists. “I am very happy for Eva, it is the first film made by robots and that the Goyas contribute to reaching the public is wonderful,” stressed Homar, especially satisfied with the recognition of Jose Coronado. "We are from the same country and it is a great performance. Justice is done, but the rest also has my total admiration," he added.

Nervous, Cuesta confessed that she feared "not being on the list. We couldn't get excited because we had to act as if we were robots, in a neutral way. I wanted to click my heels, but I couldn't," commented the actress from The Sleeping Voice, who has to do with Verónica Echegui, Salma Hayek and Elena Anaya. “I am very happy for my colleagues from The Sleeping Voice… I am not objective with them, it is an honor because we competed with very good works.”