Oct. 08, 2021|Spain|123 Min.|R
Genre: Crime;Drama;Mystery;Romance
Description: “Parallel Mothers,” a 2021 Spanish drama film, was written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Starring Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit, the movie also features actors like Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Israel Elejalde, Julieta Serrano, and Rossy de Palma. It premiered as the opening film at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2021, where Penélope Cruz won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. The film was released in Spanish theaters on October 8, 2021, by Sony Pictures Releasing International and was also the closing film of the 2021 New York Film Festival. At the 94th Academy Awards, it received nominations for Best Actress (Cruz) and Best Original Score (Iglesias).
The story follows Janis Martínez, a photographer who collaborates with forensic archaeologist Arturo to excavate a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War in her hometown. After a brief affair, Janis becomes pregnant and decides to raise the child alone, despite Arturo’s objections tied to his wife’s ongoing chemotherapy. In the hospital, Janis shares a room with Ana, a teenage single mother, and both give birth around the same time. After their babies are briefly held for evaluation, Janis and Ana return home separately but stay in touch. Later, Arturo visits Janis and expresses doubts about the baby’s paternity, prompting Janis to conduct a maternity test. The results reveal that she is not the biological mother of her child, but she keeps this secret. Months later, Janis encounters Ana again, who reveals that her baby died from crib death. Janis discovers that the babies were accidentally swapped at the hospital, confirming her earlier suspicions.
The film explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the lingering scars of history.
Cast director: Pedro Almodóvar
Cast actor: Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Rossy de Palma, Julieta Serrano, Arantxa Aranguren, Adelfa Calvo, José Javier Domínguez, Carmen Flores
Original name: Madres paralelas