Women in Almodo’s films
By Nicole Newman | Jan 29, 2020
Strong female characters
With a filmography that spans nearly 40 years, Almodo has always been consistent with his memorable, outspoken, and nuanced female leads.
Almodo's film "Julieta" poignantly explores female agency when one woman reconciles her present situation with her past decisions.
Julieta
A woman's journey
Originally intended for legendary actor Meryl Streep, Almodo ultimately decided to cast Adriana Ugarte back home in his native Spain.
Making Julieta
Adriana Ugarte was ultimately chosen to play Julieta for her nuanced portrayal of youth, independence, and female freedom.
Ugarte as Julieta
“ I wanted to portray a woman exploring life and making decisions on her own terms.”
Almodo on Adriana Ugarte
In Volver, we see Almodo explore female identity: the layers, the emotions, the influences on a woman's decision-making process.
Volver
Female Identity
Almodo famously makes movies about movies as a way to explore the complexity of identity for women. Women have always been understood through someone else's lens or medium.
Why Identity?
“His work is his love letter to women. It's his love letter to cinema.”
Almodo on Penny Cruz
All About My Mother explores why women act, who they act for, and how they perform.
All about my mother
Women Who Act
The film moves around characters who are melodramatic. Their real hardships are punctuated by moments of seeming parody. Almodo examines the convention of acting in our daily lives.
Real vs. Unreal
“The films he makes are a reflection of himself, and this is how he sees women.”
Almodo on Cecilia Roth
The observer of women
La Frances Hui said: “Almodo is someone who is very beloved by female actresses. He has an unusual ability to observe women with a sense of empathy.
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