I want to elaborate on a subject I touched on in my last blog, about when I met Pedro Almodóvar the week before he won an Academy Award for All about My Mother.

My friend John is an executive at United Artists (who distributed the film for the U.S.), and he is also a close friend of Pedro. John mentioned to me that UA had arranged for him to stay with his buddy Pedro at a high rollers suite @ the MGM Grand in Las Vegas; this is so Pedro could chill at and be pampered and de-stressed before he was named the winner of his first shiny golden Oscar. Well, guess who my friend John invited to go? ME!!!

That's right. I was on my way to Vegas faster than you can say Volver. I went with my good buddy Adam, who was visiting me from New York. Of course, I was super-excited that I was going to meet Master Almodóvar. I had prepared a whole elaborate speech telling Pedro how much I admired him and how much of an inspiration he has been in my career as a filmmaker.

When I arrived at the secret wing of the hotel, I was greeted by this beautiful woman with a long scarf blowing in the wind of these lavish amazing gardens lit by the neon green skylights of the MGM... I swear it felt like a scene in a movie. This beautiful concierge guides us through the gardens to a private elevator, which takes us directly into the suite where my friend John is waiting. We get the grand tour of the extravagant suite, which was the size of a stadium... well at least that's what it seemed like to me... it had an indoor pool, jacuzzi, spa and gym... well, you can imagine: the luxury of luxury! Master Almodóvar is in the theater lounge watching Three Kings. We peek in our heads and wave; we didn't want to interrupt him from watching the film. We then proceed to the social area with the grand piano and, of course, the bar! Oh my God... at this point my nerves are so out of whack that I needed a drink NOW!!! We hang out for a while, laugh and chat with John, Adam and Michel (Pedro's assistant and friend). Meanwhile, I'm thinking that when Pedro comes out, I will be ready to give him my well-rehearsed admiration speech. About half an hour later, Master Almodóvar comes out to the social area to hang with us for a bit. He cracks a couple of jokes, and is as cool as an igloo.

I find the perfect moment to tell him my speech. I open my mouth ... and what comes out???? NOTHING! NADA! NICHEVO! ZILCH! ZERO! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in my life I was speechless - completely star struck by Pedro Almodóvar!!

The fact that one of my idols was in front of me was so surreal to me that my brain completely blocked. How awful! It was one of the most disappointing moments of my life. I thought to myself that I must have looked like a complete idiot to Pedro! He then said goodnight because he had to be up early for a golf game. He disappeared into the east wing of the suite, and I never saw him again! It's still tough to remember this moment, and it's hard to forgive myself for not speaking up and saying what I wanted to say! Oh well, Cest La Vie! So Master Almodóvar, if you ever get to read this, that is my side of the story. I know you remember your side, and I hope you now understand what a great impact you had on me. Thank you for being such an inspiration and for making such kick-ass films! You rock! Hopefully, our paths will cross again someday!

Sure enough, the following weekend, Pedro won his first Oscar for best foreign film for All About my Mother, or Todo Sobre Mi Madre.

I still think it was because of him having met me that he won that Oscar. But hey, I forgive him for not mentioning me in his acceptance speech... I'm sure with so much going through his head that night, he must have just forgotten. Right?!