RITA DI SANTO speaks to the exiled Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa about Two Prosecutors, his chilling study of the Stalinist purges
Latest editorial
One for Almodovar fans
ALAN McGUIRE recommends an autobiography that is an intriguing mix of short stories and personal sketches
Pedro Almodovar, 2017
FIONA O’CONNOR is fascinated by a novel written from the perspective of a neurodivergent psychology student who falls in love
New releases from Robert Forster, Self Esteem, and Arve Henriksen
SIMON PARSONS is gripped by a psychological thriller that questions the the power of the state over vulnerable individuals
KEN COCKBURN assesses the art of Ian Hamilton Finlay for the experience of warfare it incited and represents
The bard gives us advance notice of his upcoming medieval K-pop releases
GORDON PARSONS steps warily through the pessimistic world view of an influential US conservative
The Last Dream
Pedro Almodovar, Harvill Secker, £16.99
PEDRO ALMODOVAR is a Spanish film-maker known for his vibrant, emotionally charged films that often explore themes of identity, sexuality, family, societal taboos and human relationships.
Coming from the deeply religious and bare landscape of Castilla la Mancha to the vibrant capital of Madrid in the throes of la movida, a counter-cultural movement following the death of Spain’s dictator Franco in 1975, Almodovar is himself a mixture of the various Spanish cultures.
In his work he breaks mainstream stereotypes of Spaniards, often with images and realities that the country’s conservatives would rather forget.
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RITA DI SANTO selects seven of the best films from this year’s line-up to watch for in cinemas