Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar has criticised the 2026 Academy Awards for what he described as a striking absence of political voices during the ceremony, accusing Hollywood of retreating into silence amid global crises and rising political tensions.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times ahead of the Cannes premiere of his new film Bitter Christmas, Almodóvar reflected on this year’s Oscars telecast and said he was surprised by how few attendees addressed issues such as the war in Gaza or former U.S. president Donald Trump.

“You know, I’m not really blaming anyone in particular, but it was quite notable watching the Oscar telecast where there were not many protests against the war or against Trump,” Almodóvar said. He added that the only moment he clearly remembered came from fellow Spanish actor Javier Bardem, who publicly declared “Free Palestine” during the ceremony.

The director suggested fear now hangs heavily over the American film industry. “People are obviously very frightened,” he said, later arguing that he no longer considers the United States a functioning democracy.

Almodóvar also connected the ceremony’s cautious tone to the wider political climate surrounding Trump’s return to power, calling the situation both “a paradox” and “incredibly sad.” The filmmaker has repeatedly criticised Trump in recent years, previously describing him as a “catastrophe” while accepting the Chaplin Award in 2025.

Asked whether outspoken political remarks could damage his career, Almodóvar dismissed the idea entirely. He explained that being Spanish and working outside Hollywood gives him greater freedom to speak openly, noting that Spain has officially described the situation in Gaza as a genocide.