Talk to Her
Two parallel stories of men in love with women in comas is made heartfelt and somehow realistic in the world that Almodóvar creates in Talk to Her. Marco (Darío Grandinetti) falls in love with bullfighter Lydia (Rosario Flores), and cares for her after she is gored by a bull. Benigno (Javier Cámara) devotes himself to the comatose ballerina Alicia (Leonor Watling). Themes of masculine and feminine attributes are treated with complexity and compassion in this film that celebrates the power of language, for which Almodóvar won Best Original Screenplay.

DIRECTOR: Pedro Almodóvar. WRITTEN BY: Pedro Almodóvar. CAST: Javier Cámara, Leonor Watling, Darío Grandinetti, Rosario Flores. 2002. 112 min. Spain. Color. Scope. Spanish. 35mm. Print courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.

The Skin I Live In
Almodóvar’s darkest and most perverse film yet, The Skin I Live In contemplates identity, desire, and sexuality through the lens of plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas). Scarred by a dark and tragic past, he becomes obsessed with a controversial therapy that strengthens human skin. From the isolation of his mansion, he conducts experiments on the young and beautiful Vera (Elena Anaya). His only confidant is his housekeeper Marilia (Marisa Paredes), who ensures that his macabre endeavors remain secret.

DIRECTOR: Pedro Almodóvar. WRITTEN BY: Pedro Almodóvar. CAST: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet. 2011. 120 min. Spain. Color. Spanish. 35mm.

Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

All film screenings in the Pedro Almodóvar series are available here. 

Academy Museum film programming generously funded by the Richard Roth Foundation.