Almodóvar Cannes Screening Halted by Medical Emergency
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- Pedro Almodóvar's Competition film "Bitter Christmas" had its 6:15 p.m. press screening at Cannes' Bazin Theatre interrupted about 15 minutes in by a medical emergency, according to Deadline critic Stephanie Bunbury
- An elderly moviegoer collapsed in their seat during a hospital sequence in the film; nearby attendees surrounded the person before ushers ordered the audience to leave
- Cannes festival confirmed the individual was conscious and responsive when evacuated and is now being cared for in hospital
- The Bazin Theatre screening resumed from the beginning of the film after emergency services completed their intervention, per the festival's statement
- A world premiere of "Bitter Christmas" was scheduled for the same evening at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, where Almodóvar received a standing ovation upon entrance
Why it matters: The incident disrupted one of Cannes' highest-profile Competition press screenings, forcing a full evacuation and restart of "Bitter Christmas" — the elderly attendee, who collapsed during a hospital scene in the film, was conscious and is now receiving hospital care. The same evening's world premiere at the Grand Théâtre Lumière proceeded with Almodóvar receiving a standing ovation, suggesting the emergency did not derail the film's festival rollout.
