Pedro Almodóvar made a rare public statement that immediately attracted the attention of Spain’s cultural scene. In an interview with the Catalan radio station El món a RAC1, the director spoke in detail about his attitude toward Amaia Romero, the singer and actress who recently appeared in his film “Amarga Navidad.” Almodóvar emphasized that his decision to invite Romero was deliberate and tied to her unique natural presence on screen.
According to the director, the scene featuring Amaia Romero turned out to be one of the most challenging in the film. Almodóvar noted that the comedic episode required not only acting skills but also a special spontaneity that, in his opinion, Romero demonstrated to the fullest. He added that the camera literally “loves” Amaia, and her natural ease and sincerity make her especially valuable to cinema.
A choice without compromise
The director said he first noticed Romero after her performance at a concert in Madrid. At that moment, he saw her not only as an outstanding vocalist but also as a true stage personality. Almodóvar admitted that he initially planned to include a musical number in the film, but after Amaia’s live performance, he realized she was the one who should perform the scene. According to him, Romero independently chose the musical arrangement and suggested her own version of the song, refusing to copy Chavela Vargas’s original.
In the interview, Almodóvar also noted that Amaia Romero not only accomplished the task but brought an unexpected emotional nuance to the scene. According to the director, her performance was so powerful that it instantly became one of the film’s key moments. He expressed hope that the artist would maintain her spontaneity in future projects.
Reaction and context
Amaia Romero’s appearance in “Amarga Navidad” became a notable event for fans of Spanish cinema and music. Previously, the singer had already shown herself as an actress in the series “La mesías” by Los Javis and recently performed at the famous Tiny Desk venue of the American radio station NPR. Such a transition from the music industry to film did not go unnoticed and sparked discussion within the professional community.
Interestingly, in the Spanish show business, such unexpected decisions by directors often become grounds for debate and discussion. For example, a recent conflict broke out in Madrid between the teams of Mónica García and Emilio Delgado, which was covered in detail in the article about internal struggles within Más Madrid — details of the conflict between supporters of García and Delgado.
Background
Amaia Romero became known after winning “Operación Triunfo 2017.” In recent years, she has not only strengthened her position in the music industry but also made a successful debut in film and television. Pedro Almodóvar, for his part, continues to discover new talents for Spanish cinema, betting on performers capable of surprising the audience and bringing a fresh perspective to traditional genres.
