On Pedro Almodóvar: zoom in ‘The Skin I live in' ⚠️

This short essay reflects on the work of the filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar as a screenwriter of his films. In the next paragraphs we will explore Almodóvar’s stories’ themes and genres (Parker, 1999, p. 13) and give a brief description of the plot in his film ‘The Skin I Live In’. Almodóvar is described as ‘one of world cinema's most exciting filmmakers’ (Kakoudaki, 2009). Almodovar is the perfect role model for every marginalised, independent filmmaker.

His stories’ themes often use ‘symbolism and metaphorical techniques’ and his ‘films often portray strong female characters and transsexuals (IMDb, 2026). His scripts are original ideas, adaptations and co-authorships such as ‘The Skin I Live In’, based on the French novel Mygale, an ‘exploration of the nature of human identity’ (Kent University groups, 2013).

Almodóvar has stated that his ‘first ambition was to be a writer’ (IMDb, 2026). He is combining the benefits of writing and directing a film, and he is creating a unique style that starts on the page of the script and continues forming during the shooting, flexible to shift by the impact of the elements of ‘screen style’ (Parker, 1999, p. 35).

On dictatorships

I am happy to sell my freedom for a plate of ready-made food

I am happy to sell my dignity to have fun

I am happy to sell my independence because I am afraid to take on the responsibility of freedom

I am happy to sell Peace

I am happy to sell Life

Because War will hide my own mess

And death will make me equal and like you

And I have not been able to feel this while I am alive because I have not learned to love

I am happy with fascism because 'Barbarians are always a certain solution'

And we lived quietly

And we were comfortable in our complacency

And we justified our indifference thoughtfully and skeptically 

By blaming the children instead of the tyrants.

Our eyes were closed, and our hearts were closed

For us tyranny was both necessary and inevitable

An uprising seemed absurd and unjust

Fortunately, the mistake was ours

 

16-1-1974 Thessaloniki Greece

Maria Papagianni Michalopoulou 

 Me and my mother, Maria Papagianni Michalopoulou

She wrote that poem after the Greek dictatorship's fall in 1973.*

Sadly it's is still relevant.

* Translated from Greek by Lotous Michalopoulou 

You can find the fictional biography that I wrote inspired by my mother’s story here