Social and Historical Context Flashcards
What does Raimunda work as?
A cleaner at an airport
What does Sole work as?
She has an illegal hair salon in her apartment
How can Raimunda and Sole’s jobs be described?
As humble jobs
When was the film released? What does the film show about the time period?
2006
Shows how many people from villages/small towns (La Mancha) had emigrated to the city (Vallecas) to look for a better life and job
When did Almodovar move to Madrid and why?
As a young man, to take advantage of the greater employment opportunities there
What percentage of employment in Madrid is in the service sector?
80% primarily in lower-paid positions in the hotel and catering industry
What social class do Raimunda and Sole belong to?
Working class
Where exactly do Raimunda and Sole live, and why?
On the outskirts of Madrid to avoid the prohibitive costs of Central Madrid
How is Madrid depicted in Volver?
In the suburb of Vallecas, without the glamour or rich history that the viewer may expect to see from such a major city
What happened during the 1960s in Vallecas?
Many rural Spanish immigrants settled there
How is Vallecas represented?
As a neighbourhood with a strong sense of community (e.g. the neighbours helping Raimunda with the restaurant, Regina helping Raimunda to bury the freezer with Paco’s body)
Despite struggling in their working lives, the people of Vallecas are optimistic and energetic whether from rural Spain or abroad
What is Vallecas known for?
For having a reputation of being anti-Franco during the years of dictatorship
What false name is given to La Mancha?
Alcanfor de las Infantas
Where is Almodovar originally from?
Calzada de Calatrava, a small town in La Mancha
What is the capital city of La Mancha?
Toledo
What is La Mancha most famous for?
Queso Manchego (Manchego cheese), wine from Valdepeñas and the novel Don Quijote de la Mancha
What is the economy of La Mancha sustained by?
Livestock, vineyards and wind energy (wind turbines)
What percentage of the population of Castilla-La Mancha is over 65 years of age?
20%
How is the gastronomy of La Mancha represented?
Through the Manchegan food from Tia Paula, which Sole and Raimunda take home with them to enjoy throughout the week
How is the gastronomy of Vallecas represented?
Through the enthusiasm of Raimunda’s neighbours to provide her with food such as biscuits and meat to help with the restaurant
What genre of TV was popular in Spain in the early 20th centrury?
Trash TV (reality, talk shows etc) such as Sálvame and El Diario de Patricia
What topics were most popular on trash TV talk shows?
Personal testimonies about people’s private lives such as illnesses, crimes, fights/arguments and romance
How are funerals celebrated in La Mancha?
Following Spanish tradition with a wake held the night after the death of the deceased in their own home or a family member’s home
Men and women are in separate rooms
Women have the most important role of praying for the entire night and remembering the deceased
The women share experiences and gossip about superstitions
Which character is the only one who does not believe in ghosts?
Raimunda
What do the older generations in rural places such as La Mancha believe happens when a person dies?
That their spirit stays with us, even more so if that person had unresolved issues or something to finish e.g. the spirit stays to tell their family something, help them or warn them
What does the plot of Volver rely heavily on?
The idea that superstition is rife in rural towns and villages
What is the most predominant religion in Spain?
Catholicism
What are Raimunda and Sole doing in the opening scene of the film?
Cleaning and polishing the gravestone of their parents; a traditional ritual embedded in Manchegan culture
What day are Raimunda and Sole preparing for?
All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos); a holiday of remembrance in honour of deceased relatives to ensure that they are not forgotten
Which character questions the traditions of gravestone cleaning? What does her attitude reflect about modern Spaniards?
Paula; she calls the tradition strange
Her confused attitude reflects the gradual culture change in the modern generation who care less and less about religion and tradition
What percentage of Spaniards identify as Catholic, and what percentage actually attend mass once or more each month?
more than 70% identify as Catholic but only 20% attend mass (misa)
What gender does Almodóvar focus on in his films?
Women
What nickname (apodo) is used to refer to actresses who have worked with Almodóvar?
“chica Almodóvar” e.g. Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura
How do the characters in Volver represent typical Manchegan women?
They are based on exaggerated stereotypes of Manchegan woman
How can Raimunda be described?
As an attractive, strong-willed young woman who is a survivor of family tragedy (sexual abuse) and a mother who protects her daughter before anything else
How can Agustina be described?
As a visual opposite to Raimunda despite them both being similar in age
As a less attractive woman, however she has an overwhelming amount of generosity and empathy towards others
How can Irene be described?
As a typical Manchegan woman and a mother whose only wish is to reunite with her daughters
How can Tia Paula be described?
As a typical Manchegan grandma; kooky, absent-minded and caring
What percentage of Spanish mothers are not married? What do these mothers symbolise?
more than 40%
They are a symbol of strength and heroism in modern society, considering many of them work in demanding jobs for low pay whilst still having to fill the role of a traditional housewife
