Antonio Banderas Opens Up About His Oscar Nomination: 'Almost A Dream'

Antonio Banderas revealed that he is honored to be recognized for his work in the movie “Pain And Glory” and noted that the Oscar nomination feels “almost” like a dream.

Speaking in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the 59-year-old actor shared that the feeling of getting nominated is surreal and the way he got here is something that makes this nod even more special. He also opened up about his professional relationship with Pedro Almodovar, the director of “Pain And Glory.”

Banderas stated that Almodovar has been a longtime friend and to share this nomination with him is such a blessing. They have been working together for more than four decades.

“I mean, it is beautiful, the nomination itself, but just in the way that I got here and the circumstances that are surrounding this nomination are all beautiful. Almost a dream. [Sharing this] with my best friend, cinematic friend, and we close the circle with a bunch of awards and recognitions,” Banderas said.

Banderas and Almodovar started their professional relationship in 1983 with “Labyrinth Of Passion.” The film received acclaim from the critics and became a cult classic. The duo came back together in 1986 with “Matador.” The New York Times gave it a positive review and noted that the movie is “terrific.”

Other notable projects from the duo include “Law Of Desire” (1987), “Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown” (1988), “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” (1989), and “The Skin I Live In” (2011).

The “Mask Of Zorro” star also noted that the Best Actor nomination feels like a “recognition” for his community. He has never been nominated for an Academy Award for the movies he did in English. This is Banderas’ first-ever Oscar nod.

"I have been working here for almost 23 years, and I never was nominated for a movie that I did in English, but they do it for the movie that I do in Spanish. It's important because it's a recognition to my community," Banderas said.

The actor will face stiff competition in the category. He will be running for the trophy against Joaquin Phoenix (“Joker”), Adam Driver (“Marriage Story”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”) and Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”).

The movie has also been nominated in the Best Foreign-Language Film category. “Pain And Glory” and Bong Joon-Ho’s “Parasite” are considered frontrunners for the trophy.