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Considered Spain’s most internationally-known and successful filmmaker, Almodóvar’s body of work is known for its use of color and progressive themes
Resuming offline cultural activities in light of the recent easing of COVID restrictions, the Spanish Embassy is launching the Spanish Film Festival in Bangkok this month. An event not-to-be-missed by neither cinephiles nor those who love Spanish culture, the Spanish Film Festival 2021 will screen seven films at the Alliance Francaise Bangkok between November 11 and December 9 and will be the inaugural iteration of the festival. Introducing the event with a memorable line-up, the Spanish Embassy has chosen to showcase only the works of Pedro Almodóvar, one of Spain’s most important and influential filmmakers, in chronological order.
If you are unfamiliar with Almodóvar’s works, Spaniards will tell you that he has always been a man ahead of his time. His films coincide the cultural revolution of Spain post-dictatorship and tackle traditionally taboo topics of sex, including homosexuality, transexuality, sexual liberation (especially for women), sex work, and also sexual assault. He is also known for his vibrant cinematography and reoccuring collaborations with Spanish actors like Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, as well as those lesser-known outside the Spanish film industry.
Spanish Ambassador H.E. Emilio de Miguel Calabia shares with us that the following editions of the festival take a similar approach in highlighting the body of work of a singular Spanish director and that the next one will be a female filmmaker. But for now, a total of seven of Almodóvar’s films, from 1984 to 2019, are scheduled to be screened at the Alliance Francaise Bangkok. Here’s a snippet of what’s in store—how familiar are you with the following Almodóvar movies?
Thursday, November 11, 7pm: What Have I Done To Deserve This? (1984)
If you love black comedies, you have to watch this earlier Almodóvar film that follows a frustrated housewife’s misadventures and her relationship with her crazy family.
Tuesday, November 23, 6:30pm: Women On the Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (1988)
Her lover has left her without explanation and her quest to find out why leads her to meeting a variety of eccentric characters.
Thursday, November 25, 6:30pm: High Heels (1991)
A woman returns from a 15-year pursuit of a singing career to find her daughter now married to one of her exes. Awkward…
Tuesday, November 30, 6:30pm: The Flower Of My Secret (1995)
A romance novelist finds herself helpless in her own relationship and is looking for change.
Thursday, December 2, 6:30pm: All About My Mother (1999)
Following the tragic loss of her son, a mother decides to track down the boy’s father, who has become a transgender woman.
Tuesday, December 7, 6:30pm: Talk To Her (2002)
Two men bond over their common predicament of caring for two women in the ICU.
Thursday, December 9, 6:30pm: Pain And Glory (2019)
Getting into more recent territory, Pain and Glory stars Antonio Banderas as a film director who reflects on the choices he’s made as life comes crashing down around him.
Click here to book your seats to the Spanish Film Festival 2021 screenings now.
