Almodóvar's 'Bitter Christmas' Hailed, €2M Spain
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- El Mundo hailed 'Bitter Christmas' as a 'masterpiece', praising its deep, raw, complex nature.
- El Periódico de Catalunya called the film a 'precise, serene melodrama' and linked it to Almodóvar's earlier 'Pain and Glory' as a continuation in a different register.
- Screen Daily described the film as a personal, messy drama about the creative process, noting Almodóvar’s self‑focused storytelling.
- El Diario Vasco criticized the film as sketchy and distant, questioning its emotional impact.
- El Blog del Cine Español projected a €2 million opening in Spain over April 3‑5, totaling $2.9‑$3.1 million, surpassing Almodóvar's 'The Room Next Door'.
- Pedro Almodóvar said at a press conference that 'Bitter Christmas' is the film where he has been cruelest with himself, aiming to expose a director's weaknesses.
- Cadena Ser praised the film's 'brutal honesty' and original structure, while noting some critics say its emotions lack impact.
Why it matters: The €2 million opening forecast positions 'Bitter Christmas' to out‑earn Almodóvar’s recent English‑language hit and match his top‑grossing 2021 drama, bolstering El Deseo’s box‑office returns, reinforcing his auteur reputation, sharpening his chances for Cannes accolades, and signaling strong domestic audience appetite for his return to Spanish‑language cinema.
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