Alvaro de Luna Receives Award to Cinema and Social Values from Queen Sofia

On November 3, actor Alvaro de Luna received the Premio al Cine y los Valores Sociales [Award to Cinema and Social Values ], given by Spain’s Queen Sofia, as is the case each year. The award is given by the Spanish Foundation against Drug Addiction (FAD) along with EGEDA, the Spanish Film Academy, and FAPAE. The jury, made up of directors Jose Luis Borau and Montxo Armendariz (winners of the award in 2007 and 2008), journalist Concha Garcia Campoy, actor Manuel Alexandre, Alex de la Iglesia, chairman of the Spanish Film Academy, Enrique Cerezo, chairman of EGEDA [Spanish Audiovisual Producers’ Rights Management Association], Pedro Perez, chairman of FAPAE [Spanish Federation of Audiovisual Producers], and Ignacio Calderon, general manager of the FAD, has noted in its decision “his ongoing commitment to social values, demonstrated in many spheres and even transcending his career in films.”

The actor began his remarks upon receiving the award by fearing that the jury had confused "him with his characters," although he added, "I would like to think that my characters have transmitted, have emanated, these qualities of honesty, Simplicity, effort, pride in work well done, tolerance, firmness in convictions, consistency in behaviour, or strength when defending one’s own rights and those of others." Surrounded by family and friends, he dedicated the award to the "marvellous efforts by persons behind the scenes," like film specialist Luis Sanchez del Rio, who lost his life saving others in the fire at Calle Alcala 20. "I want this award to honour their memory," he said.

The Award to Cinema and Social Values is aimed at recognizing the professional career of those persons who, through cinema, have been able to interpret reality from the perspective of social and human values, as well as highlighting the educational dimension of cinema, able to entertain and give pleasure, to transmit emotions and feelings, and to invite and stimulate reflection.