Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, Julieta, was met with rapturous applause from the notoriously critical Cannes audience at its screening on Tuesday. 

The iconic Spanish film director walked the red carpet with his leading ladies, Adriana Ugarte and Emma Suárez at the screening of the film, in contention for the Palme d'Or, which will be announced on Sunday May 22nd. 

Almodóvar's most iconic leading ladies 

Renowned for being a “woman’s director”, Almodóvar’s latest film focuses on mother-daughter relationships and a mother’s decades-long wait for her daughter to come home. 

It features one of Almodóvar’s long-time muses, Rossy de Palma, who entertained the crowds on the Cannes red carpet (below). 

Rossy de Palma during the Julieta photo call. Photo: Valery Hache/AFP.

Julieta is the fifth film by the Spanish director to compete at the festival for the coveted Palme d’Or.

Although he has never won the main prize, Almodóvar’s 2006 film Volver was a festival favourite; its actresses, including Penélope Cruz, sharing the Best Actress award at Cannes.

The film's release was somewhat overshadowed by the director's appearance in the controversial Panama Papers, a topic he addressed earlier this week in Cannes. 

He accused the Spanish media of exaggerating his role in the Panama Papers scandal.

“My name and that of my brother were the least important names that appear in the Panama Papers,” said the left-leaning filmmaker over revelations last month that they controlled an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands.