World Movies: Almodovar week

World Movies celebrates the work of Spanish film director Pedro Almodóvar, with a selection of films hosted and curated by Almodóvar himself.

These will screen over five nights 20 – 24 February at 8.30pm, finishing with one of his all-time favourite films.

Every night Almodóvar will appear in exclusive World Movies introductions, discussing each film in detail before it airs. The WM: Almodóvar week features four of his essential works including All About My Mother, Volver, Live Flesh and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Closing the five-night fiesta on Friday 24th Feb is Jamón, Jamón, selected by Almodóvar as one of his best-loved Spanish films.

Mon 20 Feb, 8.30pm Volver
Tue 21 Feb, 8.30pm Live Flesh
Wed 22 Feb, 8.30pm All About My Mother
Thur 22 Feb, 8.30pm Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Fri 24 Feb, 8.30pm Jamón, Jamón

Pedro Almodóvar is renowned as one of the most famous international film directors working today. Even his first film, Pepi, Luci, Bom and other Girls on the Heap (1980), featured the themes that would become the director’s trademark including female friendship, references to film, outrageous humour and explicit sexuality.

His next few films, including the riotously camp Dark Habits (1983) and What Have I Done to Deserve This? (1984), established him as the enfant terrible of Spanish cinema. However it was Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) that gave Almodóvar his first international success, receiving worldwide acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

Almodóvar’s film All About My Mother (1999) won more awards and honors than any other Spanish film in history, including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and two awards at Cannes including Best Director. He has enjoyed continuing worldwide success with his subsequent films including Talk To Her (2002), Bad Education (2004), Volver (2006) and The Skin I Live In (2011).

Jamón, Jamón (1992) was selected by Almodóvar for this World Movies special, as one of his favourite films. The Spanish movie from director Bigas Luna and starring Javier Bardem won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It is bursting with sexual energy and twisted romantic relationships, making it the perfect conclusion to WM: Almodovar.