Release: 2021-10-08
Runtime: 2h 03m (123 minutes)
Two unmarried women who have become pregnant by accident and are about to give birth meet in a hospital room: Janis, in her late-thirties, unrepentant and happy; Ana, a teenager, remorseful and frightened.
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Genres: Drama
Cast: Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, more
Penélope Cruz
as Janis
Milena Smit
as Ana
Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
as Teresa
Rossy de Palma
as Elena
Agustín Almodóvar
as
Adelfa Calvo
as
Carmen Flores
as
Israel Elejalde
as Arturo
Inma Ochoa
as
Arantxa Aranguren
as
Julieta Serrano
as Brígida
Daniela Santiago
as
Pedro Almodóvar
Screenplay
Pedro Almodóvar
Director
Agustín Almodóvar
Producer
Eva Leira
Casting
Yolanda Serrano
Casting
José Luis Alcaine
Director of Photography
Esther García
Executive Producer
Antxón Gómez
Production Design
Alberto Iglesias
Original Music Composer
Teresa Font
Editor
Marc Orts
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Paola Torres
Costume Designer
Two unmarried women who have become pregnant by accident and are about to give birth meet in a hospital room: Janis, in her late-thirties, unrepentant and happy; Ana, a teenager, remorseful and frightened.
Parallel Mothers is a Spanish drama film released in 2021, directed and written by Pedro Almodóvar. The film stars Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit, alongside a talented cast that includes Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Israel Elejalde, Julieta Serrano, and Rossy de Palma.
The movie premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on 01 September 2021, where Cruz received the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actress. It was later released in Spain on 08 October 2021 and also served as the closing film for the 2021 New York Film Festival on the same day. The film was critically acclaimed, earning two nominations at the 94th Academy Awards for Best Actress and Best Original Score.
The story follows Janis Martínez, played by Cruz, who is a photographer that teams up with forensic archaeologist Arturo. Janis inquires about excavating a mass grave in her village, where her great-grandfather and others were buried during the Spanish Civil War. After a brief relationship, Janis becomes pregnant and decides to raise her child alone. In the hospital, she meets Ana, a teenage single mother, and they both give birth simultaneously. After discovering their babies might have been swapped, the two women navigate complex emotions and relationships as they seek the truth about their motherhood.
The film dives into themes of motherhood, loss, and the impact of history on personal lives. As Janis and Ana's bond evolves, they face the reality of their choices and the shared experience of motherhood amidst their respective struggles.
Notably, Parallel Mothers addresses Spain's historical narrative, particularly the unresolved legacies of the Civil War. Almodóvar previously shied away from this subject but uses this film to confront the past, making it a significant work in his filmography. The film's storytelling is enhanced by the compelling performances of its lead actresses and its rich cinematography by J. L. Alcaine.
With a runtime of 120 minutes, Parallel Mothers has grossed over $21.4 million at the box office. It has received widespread acclaim, with a 96% approval rating on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 88 on Metacritic, indicating universal acclaim.
This film not only showcases the artistic talents of Almodóvar but also emphasizes the importance of addressing historical wounds that continue to affect contemporary society.
