Parallel Mothers (Madres paralelas)

Sechelt – RESCHEDULED – Thurs. Nov. 24
Gibsons – Mon. Oct. 17

Spain 2021, 123 min., drama
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Spanish with English subtitles     

Two women, Janis (Penélope Cruz) and Ana (Milena Smit), converge in a hospital room where they are soon to give birth. Both are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis, middle-aged, doesn’t regret it and is exultant. Ana, an adolescent, is scared, repentant, and traumatized. Janis tries to encourage her while they move like sleepwalkers along the hospital corridors. The words they exchange in these hours will create a powerful link between the two, which by chance develops, complicates, and changes their lives in a decisive way. Parallel Mothers sustains Almodóvar’s reputation as a director who creates complex and engaging roles for women, and who does not always take a story where you think he will.