All About My Mother cemented Almodóvar’s status as the Spanish auteur to watch. The film’s commercial success went hand in hand with prestigious accolades, including an Academy Award for Best International Film, and BAFTAs for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Not in the English Language.
Manuela, an Argentine living in Madrid with her son Esteban hides a secret. She has never told Esteban who his father is, but a tragic turn of events prompts Manuela to return to Barcelona to look for her estranged husband. This incredible drama packs a punch and employs personal history and the history of Argentina to encourage reflection on truth, censorship and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
Director Pedro Almodóvar
Year 1999
Duration
1h 37m
Language Spanish with English subtitles
Cast Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Penélope Cruz