I love this article! thank you so much! I understand your concern with what you say about trans characters played by cis men, but it should be noted that in La ley del deseo (The Law of Desire), the way trans is represented changes. Well, Carmen Maura, a cis actress who plays the trans woman, and Bibiana Fernández, a trans actress, who plays the cis woman.
I too, have been on an Almodovar kick for the last year and am planning to post on several of the films that moved me. I recently saw The Room Next Door and was very struck by the "stilted" language which seemed out of place. I have been turning it over and plan to write something about the banality of routine life experience, which includes pain, suffering, and death. I wonder if that wasn't in some way what was at the heart of the first half of the film. I am including a link to an interview you may find interesting. While Almodovar is not a native English speaker. His English is pretty damn good. I think the structure of the dialogue was very intentional. Thanks for this post it is urging me to post some of my own thoughts on his films.
Thanks for this article! Almodóvar is great and he's always taking risks in his movies. I guess that's something that led to not very good movies lately ("Madres paralelas" for example), but anyway, I prefer a director whose vision is original and risky more than other who's always doing the same boring things. I think he has already made history as one of the best movie creators ever. Enjoy your Almodóvar's journey!
I think the main reason that a lot of women really like having gay and/or trans friends (myself included) is that they have chosen to live authentically rather than bow to the vastly inauthentic idea of patriarchal cis masculinity. Excellent article!
I feel like it was all exposition, and sometimes the actors seemed in on a joke that I don’t know he knew he was making, if that makes sense? But yes: stilted!!
Last night, I returned to the Riviera at SBIFF to see The Room Next Door again. I am now convinced that the structure of the dialogue was intentional. In the first half of the film, two old friends who had not spoken for years are reunited. At the start, they reacquaint, They fill in the space of time with facts, some of which are banal. In the process, they learn how to speak to each other and how to listen to each other. This sets the stage for the relationship to blossom in the second half of the film.
This film is about many things, but above all, it is about an amazing, heartfelt friendship between two women that was at once lost and later regained.
Lovely essay, I think everyone should have an Almodovar phase in their lives. I suggest you also watch one of his short films that can be found online easily, 'Trailer de amantes de lo prohibido', is so fun. Also, not sure if you speak Spanish but you can try translating this amazing letter that Paul B Preciado, a spanish writer, wrote to Pedro, I'll leave the link here: https://www.filmin.es/blog/filmin-mag-8-carta-de-paul-b-preciado-a-pedro-almodovar
Todo Sobre Mi Madre is one of my favorite films of all time. I felt this essay so hard. I also just posted an essay I wrote on Agnès Varda too. I love seeing people’s posts about my favorite things magically come up on my feed.
I love this article! thank you so much! I understand your concern with what you say about trans characters played by cis men, but it should be noted that in La ley del deseo (The Law of Desire), the way trans is represented changes. Well, Carmen Maura, a cis actress who plays the trans woman, and Bibiana Fernández, a trans actress, who plays the cis woman.
That’s so cool! Haven’t gotten to that one yet.
I too, have been on an Almodovar kick for the last year and am planning to post on several of the films that moved me. I recently saw The Room Next Door and was very struck by the "stilted" language which seemed out of place. I have been turning it over and plan to write something about the banality of routine life experience, which includes pain, suffering, and death. I wonder if that wasn't in some way what was at the heart of the first half of the film. I am including a link to an interview you may find interesting. While Almodovar is not a native English speaker. His English is pretty damn good. I think the structure of the dialogue was very intentional. Thanks for this post it is urging me to post some of my own thoughts on his films.
https://youtu.be/ZQMqlQnsfBA?si=cqkBMeL7sn1Tk6Os
Hola , Para Mí Humilde Opinión , Después De Victor Erice , Él Mejor Director De Cine Español " Vivo " Es Sin Lugar A Dudas Pedro Almodovar. Un Saludo.
Ah! Me encanta El espíritu de la colmena. Tengo que ver las otras.
loved this so much. love almodóvar.
Thanks for this article! Almodóvar is great and he's always taking risks in his movies. I guess that's something that led to not very good movies lately ("Madres paralelas" for example), but anyway, I prefer a director whose vision is original and risky more than other who's always doing the same boring things. I think he has already made history as one of the best movie creators ever. Enjoy your Almodóvar's journey!
I need to watch more Almodóvor, definitely a gap in my knowledge. Great idea to do an intensive deep dive like this, Catherine!
I think the main reason that a lot of women really like having gay and/or trans friends (myself included) is that they have chosen to live authentically rather than bow to the vastly inauthentic idea of patriarchal cis masculinity. Excellent article!
Looking forward to what you have to say about his latest!!
I enjoyed it but the writing (his first English)was really stilted! Might be an annoyance for some, though I found it charming.
I feel like it was all exposition, and sometimes the actors seemed in on a joke that I don’t know he knew he was making, if that makes sense? But yes: stilted!!
I recently decided to be a disciple of Agnes Varda
Last night, I returned to the Riviera at SBIFF to see The Room Next Door again. I am now convinced that the structure of the dialogue was intentional. In the first half of the film, two old friends who had not spoken for years are reunited. At the start, they reacquaint, They fill in the space of time with facts, some of which are banal. In the process, they learn how to speak to each other and how to listen to each other. This sets the stage for the relationship to blossom in the second half of the film.
This film is about many things, but above all, it is about an amazing, heartfelt friendship between two women that was at once lost and later regained.
Lovely essay, I think everyone should have an Almodovar phase in their lives. I suggest you also watch one of his short films that can be found online easily, 'Trailer de amantes de lo prohibido', is so fun. Also, not sure if you speak Spanish but you can try translating this amazing letter that Paul B Preciado, a spanish writer, wrote to Pedro, I'll leave the link here: https://www.filmin.es/blog/filmin-mag-8-carta-de-paul-b-preciado-a-pedro-almodovar
Lol I also recommend this tiktok profile cause they upload so much good content on Almodovar's universe, for example this amazing video of the release party of Tacones Lejanos > https://www.tiktok.com/@mundo_almodovar/video/7453896016895495456
Hope you enjoy <3
Todo Sobre Mi Madre is one of my favorite films of all time. I felt this essay so hard. I also just posted an essay I wrote on Agnès Varda too. I love seeing people’s posts about my favorite things magically come up on my feed.