Time magazine’s Best Movie of 2019, and Pedro Almodóvar’s most auto-biographical work, Pain and Glory follows film director Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas), as he recovers from the trauma of the death of his mother and his recent back operation. Salvador has given up on work and retreated into a depressive cycle, reliant on medication. A film festival wants to reunite the director with the star (Asier Etxeandia) of his 1980s film Sabor, a film that fractured his relationship with said actor, for a screening. As he reconnects with the actor he reflects on the choices he's made in life as the past and present come crashing down around him. Almodóvar took experiences from his own life for the film, including his relationship with his mother, his physical ailments, and his occasionally contentious relationship with Antonio Banderas. Fun fact, the house that Salvador lives in is Almodovar’s real house and the wardrobe was supplied from his closet!
-Written by Mary Getaneh
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.