falanana

Speaking of what is to be woman, how women are portrayed in media and how we are told to be or to behave, I wanted to recommend the latest Almodovar movie. It was in the theaters here in Hamburg a while ago, I had the privilege to watch it with original voice-over, which is always more delighting, as it includes the original sound on top of bringing the strength that the Spanish language has in itself, as part of the story, and part of Almodovar's style. Julieta is a different Almodovar though. It is much less about the harm that men can do and more about the choices women can make, how responsible they are for their past and also for their future. As it goes on about a mother and the challenge of raising her daughter in a rather unique set of facts. There is still a lot of node to it, but Almodovar is a master in storytelling. There are many aesthetically amazing scenes. The actresses are impressive and men only gravitate around. Some people say it is a minor Almodovar. Some people say it is the start to a new era for Almodovar. I say it is a great movie that, as all great movies, is able to leave a long lasting impression in the audience and might leave you thinking about friendship between women, understanding, parenting, death, passion and real love. I welcome Almodovar to his new era and I look forward to seeing more of it.

It is sweet in its portray of youth, naive and also hard on the effects of the changes one has to go through to become an adult. It shows how important some decisions are and how where you come from will determine your references of right or wrong, and will shape what hurts you and what just annoys with no further consequence. The kids perform impressively, with an apparent natural connection. Everything in the movie means something, every scene has a consequence and a cause, and be sure everything you see and hear will shape the outcome. Guillaume Senez is also a very sensitive director, and often enough the frame will unfold another detail you have to get. There is indeed a more than interesting male perceptive over teenage pregnancy, but the movie also brings rather strong secondary characters with truth and solemnity.

It is a great story, there are great actors in scene, the soundtrack is impressive, but something is missing. Elements are just not glued well together, the movie feels like it doesn't know what it wants to be. It is still good entertainment and worth it. The Puccio case is memorable by itself, and Trapero makes it visually enjoyable with a main character that will hypnotize you with a cold-deep-blue-eyes. But what makes El Clan less interesting than previous works from Trapero is how superficial characters are and the low tension observed overall (which was remarkably good in previous Trapero's works). With weak character motivation it is harder to get the audience to feel what they feel. Suddenly you can't really empathize with the story you watch. I am hoping Trapero did this one for money and will come up with a more interesting personal project soon!