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Master of the modern melodrama, Pedro Almodóvar, created his greatest film with this remarkable tale of mothers, daughters and sisters.
When sisters Raimunda (Penélope Cruz) and Sole (Lola Dueñas) return to their village to visit an elderly aunt, they hear rumours that their dead mother has appeared as a spirit. Or is there another reason for the sightings? Larger than life, of course, this is a tale of very real women trying to do the right thing.
Cruz is extraordinary. She plays Raimunda like a young Sophia Loren – a force of nature, unblinking in her energies to protect her 14-year-old daughter. The film keeps building in drama and richness throughout, but what you remember most is its portrait of solidarity between women.
Spain 2006. Director Pedro Almodóvar. With Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Blanca Portillo, Lola Dueñas. 121 mins. 15
This is one of 6 films showing at BAC as part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film, a season organised by the BFI and the Film Audience Network. The season will be screening at cinemas across the UK during autumn 2025.
Tickets from £5. 10% off for BAC Supporters
Special offer
Buy tickets for 5 or more films and receive a 25% discount.
All tickets will need to be purchased at the same time. This offer only applies to full priced tickets in the Sep-Dec 2025 programme and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers (eg BAC Supporters’ discount). Offer excludes Metropolis and Met Opera broadcasts.
Reviews
★★★★★
No other director has as much swoon factor as Pedro Almodóvar… What a triumph.
★★★★★
By turns shocking, serene, darkly funny and ruthlessly true. An all-too-rare cocktail of cinematic know-how and genuinely touching human drama.
No one can predict where this movie will go, but anyone with a beating heart will want to follow it.