Maribel Verdú and Leonor Watling claim that the Goya are to “celebrate” cinema and culture: “The rest makes you want to cry”

The presenters of the 39th edition of the Goya Awards, Maribel Verdú and Leonor Watling, They have claimed that the gala, which will be held on February 8 in Granada, is a time to “celebrate” cinema and to talk about culture and that the winners will be the ones who “position themselves” if they consider it when collecting the awards.

“The Academy is here to celebrate. Those who collect their Goya will have their moment to say what they want to say.” and if they believe that it is necessary and that they are there to position themselves in some way, they will do it, but From the Academy we are here to celebrate cinema. The rest makes you want to cry,” Watling assured the media at the institution’s headquarters.

The actresses have appeared together with the president of the Film Academy, Fernando Mendez Leite, and have been accompanied by the scriptwriters of the ceremony Laura Marquez y Paloma Rando.

Leonor Watling has stressed that culture and cinema should be talked about at the Goya awards because of the little information “gap” they have and she rejects talking about political issues. “On top of that, you give me a little space to talk about it, are we going to spend it talking about politics? Go to hell, man. Let’s talk about culture“he stated.

The actresses, who on several occasions have indicated that they still do not have the script, have assured that they are prepared for the possible criticism that there will be the next day. “When you present the Goya, you know what it is. It never rains to everyone’s liking. You have to accept it“, commented Maribel Verdú, who added that she is going to enjoy it “a lot.”

For his part, Watling has said that it is It is a “gift” and an “honor” to be in charge of the gala and he considers it “super nice” to be taking care of the stars of the nightthe nominees.

“If someone wants to get involved and it helps them vent, then go ahead. But I would invite everyone, to criticize the gala well and get seriously pissed off, to go see all the movies and be like when you criticize football, be there in your house throwing plates at the screen“, he added.

Regarding the nominations, the presenters highlighted the “wonderful and varied” year that Spanish cinema has experienced, especially in 2024 in which 335 films have been made, as Verdú said, praising those that deal with “the right to a dignified death.” “This year is incredible. I don’t think there has ever been a year as fruitful as this one.“, declared Verdú.

“We are in a moment in which Spanish cinema is very present throughout the world. We have been saying ‘what a year of cinema’ for many years and this is it too“, Leonor Watling pointed out.

FOUR WOMEN IN FRONT OF THE GOYA

The presenters recalled that at the 39th gala there will be an emotional moment dedicated to Marisa Paredesas announced by the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun. Furthermore, they have pointed out that the musical performances “will be spectacular.”

The tone of the ceremony will be one of celebration and good harmony, as they demonstrated this Wednesday, and they have remembered how they reacted when they were offered to be the presenters. “Two years ago in an interview I said that I would like to work with Maribel and it has come true.“said Watling, who called his partner to make sure she had said yes to the opportunity.

“I was in Bilbao preparing a film and suddenly Leonor called me and asked me if it was true that they had offered it to me. She told me that if I presented it, she would say yes. And I told him ‘if the other presenter is you, I say yes to everything,’ recalled Verdú, who already presented the Goya 20 years ago with Montserrat Caballé and Antonio Resines.

This time it will be the first time that the gala is presented by two women and, in addition, is written by two screenwriters. A situation that Watling has normalized. “When I read that this is exceptional, I expect to find something very crazy, like two mice, I don’t know. But in the end we are two actresses and two screenwriters who are not out of the ordinary“, he declared.