A Review of “Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)” Essay

The Spanish socialisation has been enduren for its masculinity. Bullfighters, soccer players, and other manly figures ar in loyalty much associated with the image of the Spanish culture. They had even introduced the word machismo to the English language. One cinema provides us a slice of the Spanish culture Todo Sobre Mi Madre ( either near My Mother), a look at written and directed by Pedro Almodvar. The bourgeon had true a wide reception both in Spain and other part of the world. The film Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother) talks to the soaringest degree an issue that is very rarely associated with the Spanish culture Womanhood. The story was basically about Manuelas search for the father of her dead son, Esteban. Manuela did not tell her son anything about his real father, she only told her that he was already dead long forwards he was born. However, Esteban wanted to know his father better than her mothers iodine-sentence description. As the driving conflict of the story, Esteban died and his notebook revealed that he desired to know his father. It would be revealed that Estebans real father was a prostitute transvestite with the reference Lola. The search for the man named Lola had set Manuelas life in a rollercoaster ride full of unpredictable turns and loops. During the course of the search, Manuela meets colorful population that would make her realize that life is still worth living. Almodvars plot could be described as unpredictable, which gives the film realism. Conflicts are introduced one after another, and at some points intertwined. The camera work was executed with high regard to modern aesthetics.The characters were beautifully designed, some so realistic plainly most are certainly peculiar. Manuelas search for Lola had led her adventure to the underground world of Barcelona, where transvestites were not an uncommon. The underground version of Barcelona is certainly a visual treat to the audience to an unfamiliar yet co lorful world. There, Manuela meets up with old friends, care Agrado, and some refreshing ones. In addition, through those new relationships, Manuela had somehow managed to heal a portion of the wound inflicted by the finish of her son. The films highlighting of womanhood in the Spanish circumstance is admirable. From the title alone, All About My Mother, the audience are forthwith notified that this would be a story about a woman. Even the name of the protagonist Manuela, supposedly derived from a mans name Manuel, suggests that this film would talk about womanhood. But the most interesting aspect of the film is the inclusion of a transvestite. It would be helpful to reiterate that the Spanish culture takes pride on its oozing masculinity. However, womanhood was not entirely glorify by the film. It seems that the film had utilized a negative and rather revolting stereotype to women. In the initial part of the story, Manuela had told Esteban that his father had died long in th e beginning he was born. It would not take long that the audience would discover that Manuela is relation back a lie. There are other points within the narrative that a woman (and the woman-like) would tell lies. It seems that Almodvar is arguing that Spanish women make lies, not because there is a lack of morals, but for the benefit of others, much like a white lie. Manuela did not inform Esteban about the unconventional truth about his father, supposedly to protect her son from the implications of having a transvestite for a father. Almodvars casting of a woman protagonist and transexual males could be interpreted as a social satire, but if we sift to analyze the intention behind the film, we are likely to arrive at a positive note. Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother) becomes a representative for the Spanish culture. Other cultures who would watch the film would realize that the Spanish community is not all about machismo. The film somewhat deconstructs the stereotyped im age of the Spanish culture as being male-dominated. The film is seemingly arguing that the Spanish women are just as interesting as Spanish men. All in all, Almodvars Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother) shares the culture of the Spaniards in a new yet more vibrant light. The English subtitles are really helpful for those without a background on the Spanish language. However, the certain language should be preserved for the audience to have a evident Spanish experience.BibliographyALMODVAR, P. (1999) Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)