Almodovar Wins Arts Prize

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, seen in this May 12, 2004 file photo, taken in Cannes, France, has been awarded the Prince of Asturias prize for arts Wednesday May 17, 2006, for his expertise and contribution to Spanish cinema. The annual award, is one of Spain's highest, and is given in eight categories such as arts, science and sports to Spanish and foreign recipients. The prizes are named after Crown Prince Felipe and are presented each fall in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours, Files) (Laurent Rebours - AP)

MADRID, Spain -- Pedro Almodovar was awarded one of Spain's highest honors _ the Prince of Asturias prize _ for his contribution to Spanish film, and the director said he was overwhelmed by the honor.

"It's one of the most important prizes I've ever received," said Almodovar at Madrid's international airport Wednesday, just before boarding a flight to Cannes, France, for the annual film festival. "I feel overwhelmed."

Almodovar was chosen "both for his expertise and the honesty of his work, and for the joy and vitality of his scripts, and above all for implanting his roots, which are ours, too, into the society of a planet on the verge of a nervous breakdown and which straddles two centuries," said the jury that awards the arts prize.

"His work, rooted in a Spanish society which was opening up to deep changes, has gained a universal dimension through original language which is richly expressive and capable of synthesizing human complexity," the jury added.

Almodovar's films include "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," "Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down," "All About My Mother," which won the Oscar for best foreign film in 2000, and "Talk to Her," which won the Oscar for best original screenplay in 2003.

His latest movie, "Volver," starring Penelope Cruz as a feisty young woman whose mother comes back from the dead to tie up loose ends, will compete at Cannes for the coveted Palme d'Or.

The Prince of Asturias awards are also given in the fields of writing, social sciences, scientific research, communications and humanities, international cooperation, public service and sports.

Named after Crown Prince Felipe, they are presented each fall in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region. The awards carry a cash prize of about $62,000.