A film that caught my attention and kept me entertained was Volver (2006) by Pedro Almodovar. Almodovar, a renowned director, has been recognized early in his career for his unique style and influences, which are evident throughout Volver. In this discussion, I will explore how Volver has become a representative film in Almodovar’s body of work. Many of his films draw from his own background and experiences. As Almodovar himself stated, “You can describe my films as melodramas, tragicomedies, comedies or anything else because I like to mix everything together and even change genres within the same sequence, quickly” (Kinder 37).
Almodovar films are known for their unique characteristics that set them apart and make them distinctly Almodovar. These films are commonly referred to as “typical Almodovar films” because they consistently embody his expected themes and style. Almodovar began his career in 1974, and has since become a highly successful and internationally renowned Spanish filmmaker. His films feature complex narratives and a strong sense of melodrama. Furthermore, Almodovar often incorporates elements of popular culture, including popular songs, into his work.
The films of Almodovar are characterized by unexpected humor. He employs various themes such as desire, passion, family, family issues, extremes, identity, and sex. One notable theme in Almodovar’s works is his strong influence by old Hollywood movies. This is evident in his tendency to focus on a central troubled female character in most of his films. Additionally, Almodovar’s personal experiences during his youth greatly influence the content of his films.
Almodovar films often address issues of sexuality and he fearlessly explores the world of sexual promiscuity. Being a gay man himself, Almodovar’s personal experiences greatly influence his work on film. While the themes of homosexuality or transgender may not be as prominent in Volver compared to his other films, sexuality still plays a significant role. For instance, the main character Raimunda (Penelope Cruz) in Volver has a daughter named Paula.
In the movie “Volver”, a disturbing incident occurs when Paula is almost sexually assaulted by her intoxicated father, Paco. During this encounter, Paco also reveals to Paula that he is not her biological father. In a desperate act of self-defense, Paula stabs Paco. Later, Raimunda discovers the situation and takes it upon herself to get rid of Paco’s body. Taking advantage of an abandoned restaurant, Raimunda hides the body in a freezer and seeks the assistance of a prostitute to dispose of it. Unbelievably, this same prostitute becomes Raimunda’s unexpected helper when she begins to serve a film crew in the aforementioned restaurant.
Almodovar is fearless when it comes to giving characters and themes that are often marginalized a central role. Additionally, the theme of the dead having more prominence than the living, which is a common theme in Almodovar’s work, is also prevalent in Volver. The opening scene sets the tone with numerous women diligently cleaning the graves of their deceased relatives, underscoring the significance of the dead in Volver. The film chiefly focuses on Raimunda and her sister Sole, who hail from La Mancha, a region that Almodovar himself is from. Death plays a significant role throughout Volver.
In the film Volver, Raimunda and Sole’s mother returns as a ghost, despite being presumed dead in a fire with their father three years ago. The truth unfolds gradually as the story progresses. Irene’s ghost resides with Sole and plays a significant role in the plot. Death is a recurring theme in Volver, as evidenced by Raimunda’s daughter killing her stepfather after he attempts to rape her. Taking full responsibility for Paco’s body, Raimunda becomes embroiled in a major plot point in the film.
Raimunda’s encounter with various opportunities was directly linked to her need to dispose of Paco’s body. Surprisingly, the deaths of Paco and Irene’s supposed resurrection had a significant impact on resolving issues and creating positive outcomes for Raimunda and her family. Additionally, Almodovar consistently chooses Spain as the setting for his films, despite having the freedom to film anywhere in the world. In “Volver,” the main story takes place in Madrid.
Raimunda resides in Madrid with her daughter, and it is in Madrid where the restaurant she takes over is located. Volver, a film by Almodovar, takes place in Madrid as well as a small portion in La Mancha, a region in Spain. Almodovar has a preference for using places that he is familiar with, such as La Mancha. Furthermore, Almodovar moved to Madrid later on to pursue his film career, even though the local film school had recently closed down.
Volver plot was initially referenced in The Flower of My Secret, one of Almodovar’s earlier films. In this film, the plot revolved around a rejected novel that is eventually stolen and transformed into a screenplay for a movie titled The Freezer. Almodovar enjoys incorporating aspects of himself into his work, as seen in The Flower of My Secret where the protagonist writes numerous books under a pseudonym, much like how Almodovar used the pseudonym Patty Dipusha during the early stages of his career when he wrote parody memoirs. This demonstrates how Almodovar draws from his own experiences and integrates them into his films.
One prominent element in the majority of Almodovar’s films is pop culture and popular music. Almodovar takes pleasure in integrating different facets of popular culture into his films, with a special emphasis on the significance of music. During his younger years, Almodovar engaged in various unconventional occupations, such as working as an illustrator for comic strips in a small underground magazine. Additionally, he had acting roles in several theatrical productions and was part of a punk rock band named Almodovar. His fervor for the arts has profoundly impacted his creative output.
Many aspects of his personal experiences have been directly translated onto his films, including the influence of Punk Rock. Numerous films feature a Punk character, and in “Volver,” there is a redemption of the Argentinean song “Volver” as well as references to reality TV. Almodovar consistently incorporates contemporary elements of everyday life into his films. Almodovar states, “I always strive to select archetypes and characters from modern-day Madrid that are representative of the prevailing mentality” (Kinder 34).
Almodovar believes it is crucial to incorporate contemporary elements of Spain into his films as he aims to showcase present-day elements in his work. He strives to depict reality and aims to raise awareness among the audience regarding contemporary matters. For instance, this includes featuring popular music and television shows of the time. Almodovar also addresses current topics such as social and political issues or characters that are becoming more accepted in society but were previously marginalized.
According to Kinder, Almodovar stated, “The characters in my films completely deviate from the past, meaning that most of them, like for instance, are political” (34). Almodovar is an auteur who prefers working with a particular ensemble. His films often feature the same actors repeatedly. Almodovar emphasizes his desire for his actors to depict his characters in such a distinct manner that sometimes even he cannot articulate it. In Volver, he enlists two actors whom he frequently casts: Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura. Both these actresses have made frequent appearances in many of Almodovar’s films.
Almodovar has a particular affection for Javier Bardem, another actor. Many of Almodovar’s movies revolve around a deeply troubled female protagonist who struggles with various issues, often related to her family. The cast in Almodovar’s movies is typically close-knit, and the characters have strong bonds because of their familial ties. An excellent example of this can be seen in Volver, where Raimunda deals with both her husband’s death and the unexpected return of her mother’s ghost. Additionally, a significant revelation occurs later in Volver when it is disclosed that Paula is not just Raimunda’s daughter but also her sister.
Raimunda’s mother’s lack of intervention in her father’s abusive behavior towards her led to Raimunda harboring resentment towards her. Almodovar, renowned for his exploration of familial and sexual issues in his films, has become an intriguing auteur. His distinct style and early recognition as an auteur have captured my attention. What distinguishes Almodovar’s movies from others I have viewed is the incorporation of personal experiences and knowledge into his work. I find his unique approach to filmmaking appealing, and despite having only seen a few of his films, I am eager to watch more.
The following are the references:
Kinder, Marsha. “Pleasure and the New Spanish Mentality: A conversation with Pedro Almodovar.” Film Quarterly (1987): 33-44.
Vernon, Kathleen M. “Pedro Almodovar’s “What Have I Done to Deserve This?”. ” Film Quarterly (1993): 28-40.
Zecchi, Barbara. “All About Mothers: Pronatalist Discourses in Contemporary Spanish Cinema.” College Literature (2005): 146-164.
