Almodóvar Blasts Oscars as 'One Battle' Wins Six
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- Pedro Almodóvar told the Los Angeles Times the 2026 Oscars were “blatantly apolitical,” noting the absence of protests against the Gaza war or Trump.
- Javier Bardem was the only European celebrity Almodóvar cited as explicitly saying “Free Palestine” during the ceremony.
- Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “One Battle After Another” won Best Picture and six other Oscars, yet the ceremony’s political context was downplayed.
- Variety’s Owen Gleiberman criticized the Oscars for not highlighting the political significance of “One Battle After Another” despite its six wins.
- Los Angeles Times reported Almodóvar’s view that the U.S. is “not a democracy right now,” reflecting his broader criticism of political apathy in Hollywood.
Why it matters: The Oscars risk alienating politically engaged audiences, while Almodóvar’s outspoken critique boosts his profile; the six‑award sweep of “One Battle After Another” underscores the gap between artistic recognition and political discourse.
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