VivirLatino

The latest Pedro Almodóvar film is very much what we expect, but it’s also what we don’t expect. One of the many things I love about Almodóvar is that he has normalized some of the most marginalized and oppressed people in our society in his films (i.e. Transgender Latinas, mentally ill communities, and queer communities). I also love that he creates relationships with all the people in his cast and allows them to demonstrate their acting range as he cast them in other projects in completely different roles. I will let you know that Almodóvar is one of my favorite screenwriters and directors (Takashi Miike and Karyn Kusama are also on that list).

As a result, Almodóvar’s “usual suspects” are cast in Los Abrazos Rotos: Penélope Cruz (Volver) as Lena, a sex worker turned secretary who seeks to become an actor, Lluís Homar (La Mala Educación/Bad Education) as Mateo Blanco/Harry Caine a screenwriter and director, Blanca Portillo (Volver) as Judit García the agent of screenwriter Mateo/Harry; José Luis Gómez (Goya’s Ghosts) as Ernesto Martel a wealthy Spanish man who produces Mateo’s latest film, Rubén Ochendiano (Che Part 2) as Ray X, Ernesto’s gay son whom he ignores, and Tomar Novas (Goya’s Ghosts) as Diego, Judit’s son who helps Mateo/Harry.

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