The latest child to spring from the mind of Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, Volver (trailer after the jump), is not to be missed. The story, spun with bold intricate twists as only Almodóvar knows how, tells the story of three generations of women of La Mancha, Spain. The spectacular cast is led by la bella y talentosa Penelope Cruz in the role of Raimunda. Raimunda, like her mother played by Carmen Maura, like her sister played by Lola Dueñas, and like her daughter played by Yohana Cobo, have all been wronged by men and all hold secrets about just how deep those wrongs are. These wrongs committed by the nearly absent men are shrouded in further mystery by a culture of death.

But the culture of death presented here by Almodóvar and interpreted by the actors isn’t a dark one. Death and returning from the dead are as natural as life. In fact Almodóvar says that film is a tribute to the social rites practices by his people with regard to death and the dead and that making the film helped him look at death without fear, although he admits to not understand or accept it.

From the opening scene, with the three generations of women cleaning their mother’s grave, the film resonated with me. While I am not Spanish, as a Latina, Spain and her traditions are part of my own traditions. The overhead shot of Sole being kissed by a swarm of female relatives dressed in mourning black while other women prayed the rosary was something that I have lived in many family velorios. The acceptance of the line between the living and dead being burred is something that I grew up with and the close up shots of food being chopped brought me into Raimunda’s kitchen.

Volver is stunning, visually and in terms of its plot. It is one of Pedro Almodóvar’s best works and certain to become a classic, not just of Spanish cinema but of cinema in general. Volver is one of those films that people return to.

To read more about Volver and to find out where you can catch it for yourself visit the film’s official website.

Trailer courtesy Sony Pictures Classics.