| In “The Last Dream,” the Spanish director offers insights into his complicated relationship with creativity and mortality. |
Pedro Almodóvar: Spain’s Greatest Living Filmmaker and Hidden Fabulist
Pedro Almodóvar is often hailed as Spain’s most significant living filmmaker, but beyond his directorial brilliance, he sees himself first as a storyteller, or “fabulist,” as he puts it. With more than 20 feature films to his name, Almodóvar’s career is a testament to his unpredictable, complex narratives.
A Storyteller at Heart: Almodóvar’s Iconic Films
Almodóvar’s films are known for their extravagant, often unpredictable plots. His Talk to Her follows the bond between two men caring for two comatose women, while The Skin I Live In tells the dark tale of a plastic surgeon who surgically transforms a man into a woman against his will. His work often challenges boundaries and expectations, captivating audiences with its bold storytelling.
Writing Before Directing: Almodóvar’s Lesser-Known Passion
While Almodóvar has spent countless hours behind the camera, his true passion has always been writing. Of the 20-plus films he directed, he wrote or co-wrote nearly all of them. In fact, he may have spent more time at his writing desk than on a film set, crafting the stories that would go on to inspire his iconic films.
The Hidden Writings: Short Stories, Diaries, and More
Throughout his career, Almodóvar had also been quietly writing short stories, diary entries, and unclassifiable essays — pieces of himself that remained hidden from public view. These writings were stored in several blue folders, kept safe by his assistant, Lola García, during his many moves across Madrid.