Almodóvar’s Madres Paralelas to open the 78th Venice Film Festival

by KM, Movie Lightbox

The upcoming Spanish drama film from Pedro Almodóvar will be the Opening Night Film of the 78th Venice International Film Festival.

The film stars Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón. It tells the story of two women, Janis and Ana, when they coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and got pregnant by accident. The few words they exchange in these hours will create a very close link between the two.

According to the press release by the festival, Parallel Mothers (Madres Paralelas) will be part of the Competition Section and will be screened in the Sala Grande on September 1, the Opening Night of the 2021 Venice Film Festival.

“I was born as a film director in 1983 in Venice…in the Mezzogiorno Mezzanotte section. Thirty-eight years later I am called to open the Festival. I cannot explain the joy and the honor, and how much this means to me without falling into complacency. I am very grateful to the Festival for this recognition and hope to be up to it”, Almodóvar said in a statement.

The 78th edition of Venice International Film Festival runs from September 1 - 11.

Image courtesy of La Biennale Di Venezia