Almodóvar's 'Bitteres Fest' Explores the Artist as Vampire
On July 30, 2026, German theaters will showcase Pedro Almodóvar's latest film, 'Bitteres Fest.' The 76-year-old filmmaker delves into the moral complexities faced by artists who draw from their environments. In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Almodóvar remarked on the potential risks artists pose to their surroundings. The narrative follows filmmaker Raúl (Leonardo Sbaraglia) grappling with a creative block, while advertising director Elsa (Bárbara Lennie) becomes a character inspired by the tragic experiences of assistant Mónica (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón). Premiering at Cannes, Almodóvar revealed that Raúl embodies elements of his own life. The film has been lauded for its vivid colors and engaging scenes. In recent auction news, Matisse's 'La Chaise lorraine' fetched $41.5 million, and Brancusi's 'Danaïde' sold for $93 million. A Brancusi exhibition is ongoing at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin until August 9.
Key facts
- Pedro Almodóvar's film 'Bitteres Fest' opens in German cinemas on July 30, 2026.
- Almodóvar called artists 'vampires' in a Süddeutsche Zeitung interview.
- The film stars Leonardo Sbaraglia, Bárbara Lennie, and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón.
- 'Bitteres Fest' premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
- Henri Matisse's 'La Chaise lorraine' sold for $41.5 million at Sotheby's New York.
- Carla Accardi's 'Fonda notte'/'Pieno giorno' sold for €400,000 at Dorotheum Vienna.
- Constantin Brancusi's 'Danaïde' achieved $93 million at Christie's Rockefeller Center.
- A Brancusi exhibition runs until August 9 at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
Entities
Artists
- Pedro Almodóvar
- Leonardo Sbaraglia
- Bárbara Lennie
- Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
- Henri Matisse
- Carla Accardi
- Constantin Brancusi
- S. I. Newhouse
Institutions
- Süddeutsche Zeitung
- Sotheby's
- Dorotheum
- Christie's
- Neue Nationalgalerie
- Cannes Film Festival
Locations
- Spain
- Germany
- New York
- Vienna
- Berlin
- Rockefeller Center
- Sicily
- Rome