MADRID, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish Film Academy announced on Tuesday that it has given its 2017 National Cinema Award to Malaga born actor Antonio Banderas.
The jury noted that the 56-year-old, who is probably the most international of Spanish actors, but also manages to remain close to his roots, has "been a star with an extraordinary career at national and international level who has opened the door for many Spanish actors and actresses."
They add that "his tenacious commitment to cinema as an actor, director and producer means he deserves this prize," which he will receive during the 2017 edition of the San Sebastian Film Festival, held in the city between 23-30th of September.
Banderas made his acting debut in 1982 in "Labyrinth of Passion", which was the second film of famous Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, and he would work again with the director in films such as "Matador", "The Law of Desire", "Tie me up, tie me down" and "The Skin I live in".
He made the leap to Hollywood with the film "Mambo Kings" and followed that up with a series of roles in films such as "Philadelphia," "Interview with a Vampire", "The Mask of Zorro", and "Evita."
He also provided the voice for Puss in Boots' for the hugely successful animated "Shrek" series and also the "Puss in Boots" spinoff, among others.
Banderas has also directed films such as "Crazy in Alabama" starring his former wife Melanie Griffith and this award is the latest of several he has received in his career, such as the 'DonBanderas made his acting debut in 1982 in "Labyrinth of Passion", which was the second film of famous Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, and he would work again with the director in films such as "Matador", "The Law of Desire", "Tie me up, tie me down" and "The Skin I live in".
He made the leap to Hollywood with the film 'Mambo Kings' and followed that up with a series of roles in films such as "Philadelphia," "Interview with a Vampire", "The Mask of Zorro", and "Evita."
He also provided the voice for Puss in Boots' for the hugely successful animated "Shrek" series and also the "Puss in Boots" spinoff, among others.
Banderas has also directed films such as "Crazy in Alabama" starring his former wife Melanie Griffith and this award is the latest of several he has received in his career, such as the Donostia (San Sebastian) Prize, Gold Medal for Merit at the Bellas Artes in Madrid and an honorary Biznaga de Oro and the 2015 honorary Goya Award, which is considered to be the Latin equivalent of the Oscars.
