Antonio Banderas – Windows on Worlds

The Skin I Live In – Summer Screen at Somerset House

July 29, 2011by Hayley ScanlonLeave a comment

Wednesday night saw the opening of the Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House which launched with the UK premiere of Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film The Skin I Live In (La piel que habito). This marks the first reunion of Almodóvar and Banderas since 1990’s Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down!. It’s also the first time Almodóvar has stepped into the horror genre, so expectations were running fairly high.

They were not disappointed. This is quite simply a brilliant film, dark, disturbing, but also displaying that trademark Almodóvar humour. Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to review as it’s best to know absolutely nothing at all about the plot before going in. It’s a real return to form for Almodóvar after the slightly disappointing Broken Embraces, this is a film with plenty to say that’s also wickedly entertaining. Highly recommended, do not miss this!

Law of Desire

June 7, 2011by Hayley ScanlonLeave a comment

Pedro Almodvar’s 1987 movie, Law of Desire, is a deeply felt meditation on the nature of love and longing which still manages to pack in all of the director’s usual flair and wit. A film director gets picked up in a disco by an unhinged fan whilst his boyfriend is on holiday. He tries to break off with guy 2 because he’s really in love with guy 1, but guy 2 has quite considerable problems. Also add into the mix the director’s trans-sexual sister and the little girl she’s become defacto guardian of and you end up with quite a complicated set of situations. Fantastic!

The Skin I Live In – Teaser trailer

May 10, 2011May 10, 2011by Hayley ScanlonLeave a comment

Fans of the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar have been eagerly awaiting his next film, The Skin I Live In, and if this trailer is anything to by it seems as if our expectations will not be disappointed! Marking the first reunion with Antonio Banderas since Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! in 1990 (having previously worked together in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Labyrinth of Passion, Matador, and Law of Desire), the film concerns a plastic surgeon’s quest to avenge the rape of his daughter but also his relationship with the woman he’s imprisoned in his basement. Almodóvar has described this as his harshest film yet and something of a departure from his usual fare, I for one certainly can’t wait to hear more from Cannes!