Jennifer Lawrence is set to receive the prestigious Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival today, an honor recognizing her outstanding contributions to cinema. Prior to the award ceremony, Lawrence participated in a press conference where she recounted how she became involved in her latest project, Die, My Love. The film, directed by Lynne Ramsay and based on a novel by Argentine author Ariana Harwicz, sees Lawrence both starring in and producing the adaptation. Martin Scorsese originally introduced Lawrence to the novel, urging her to consider the role, having been captivated by the book in his book club.
During the press conference, tensions arose as several journalists brought up U.S. politics and the current conflict in Gaza. Despite attempts by the festival moderator to steer the conversation away from politics, Lawrence expressed her concern. She described the situation in Gaza as terrifying and likened it to a genocide, lamenting the state of American political discourse. Emphasizing the importance of accountability, she urged people to focus on those truly responsible for political issues rather than targeting artists and actors.
Lawrence further addressed concerns about attacks on freedom of speech in the U.S., underscoring the significance of platforms like film festivals where voices can be heard and cultural connections can be fostered.
Die, My Love, in which Lawrence plays Grace, a mother grappling with psychosis in rural America, also stars Robert Pattinson, Sissy Spacek, Nick Nolte, and LaKeith Stanfield. Lawrence shared that her personal experience with postpartum challenges influenced her portrayal of the character. Her collaboration with Ramsay was notably instinctual, with their process driven more by emotional engagement than technical precision.
Critics have praised the film, with some suggesting that Lawrence’s performance could earn her another Oscar nomination. The film’s compelling narrative and Lawrence’s riveting portrayal promise to resonate with audiences when it releases domestically on November 7, 2025, following a significant acquisition by Mubi for $24 million at the Cannes Film Festival.
The San Sebastian Film Festival, a significant platform for cinematic voices worldwide, continues to run through September 7.