Director's Intimate Glimpse into 'Stranger Way of Life' Production
Pedro Almodóvar, the renowned Spanish filmmaker, has unveiled a sneak peek of his upcoming film, "Stranger Way of Life." This queer western, a departure from Almodóvar's usual genres, promises to be a visually rich and emotionally charged exploration of masculinity and queer identity.
The film, still in the process of editing, centers around two men who reunite after 25 years of not seeing each other. Ethan Hawke stars as Sheriff Jake, and Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Gunslinger Silva, the two lead cowboys in this captivating production.
According to Almodóvar, Stranger Way of Life features a unique dialogue between the two men, and he expressed satisfaction with the performances of Pascal and Hawke. The film also boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Manu Rios, Jose Condessa, Jason Fernandez, Sara Salamo, Erenice Lohan, Pedro Casablanca, and George Steane.
Principal photography for Stranger Way of Life took place in August 2022 in the Tabernas Desert section of Almeria, Southern Spain. El Deseo, Almodóvar's own production company, collaborated with Saint Laurent for the production, with Anthony Vaccarello, head designer of Saint Laurent, serving as associate producer and costume designer.
Stranger Way of Life draws on key tropes of the Western genre, with one of the men traveling through the desert to find the other. The title of the film, Stranger Way of Life, is the same as an old Portuguese fado tune by Amalia Rodrigues.
This queer western follows in the footsteps of recent prominent Westerns with queer themes, such as Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Power of the Dog (2021). However, Stranger Way of Life is set to offer a fresh perspective, with a showdown between the two men but a story that is very intimate.
Almodóvar's Stranger Way of Life will be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, promising to be a must-see for fans of the director and Western cinema alike. With its exploration of masculinity, queer identity, and the Western genre, this film is sure to be a thought-provoking and visually stunning addition to Almodóvar's impressive body of work.
Pedro Almodóvar's upcoming film, "Stranger Way of Life," is generating anticipation due to its unique blend of the Western genre, masculinity exploration, and queer identity. The Spanish filmmaker shared that the film, featuring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal, has a staggering net worth due to its collaboration with prestigious brands like Saint Laurent. Moreover, Hawke and Pascal's performances are highly praised by Almodóvar, making "Stranger Way of Life" a must-watch in the entertainment category, especially since it will be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
