It’s tempting to say that with Parallel Mothers, Spanish maestro Pedro Almodóvar is on something of a hot streak. But that begs the question, when, indeed, is he not on a hot streak? We caught this new one at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, and it was clear that this is one of his major works – an exploration into the fragile bonds between family members, most notably that between a child and its mother. Don’t believe us? Well, head over and read our rave first-look review.
This heartbreaking film stars a never-better Penélope Cruz as a fashion photographer who finds herself with a child following a whirlwind affair – but the drama inherent to having a baby is amplified by her relationship with a troubled young woman (Milena Smit), who shared the same maternity war. While the film is unflinching when it comes to how far the maternal instinct will stretch in times of great woe, it’s also an affirmative and profound look at the strange and beautiful phenomenon of procreation.
Get more Little White Lies
To celebrate the film’s UK release, we’re inviting you to duck over to Instagram, take a photo of your mother and write a short caption that explains your relationship with her. Any subtle references to Almodovar’s wider output – where mothers play a massive role – would garner extra points. Post it on your main feed or in stories tagging @LWLies, @almodovarUK and #ParallelMothers, and the LWLies team will be judging the entries as they roll in.
The prize will be a Parallel Mothers poster signed by Almodovar himself.
Terms & Conditions
