PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMBASSY OF SPAIN

At its simplest level, Parallel Mothers is about two women who give birth in the same hospital on the same day. Almost 40, Janis (Penélope Cruz) is an accomplished photographer in Madrid who became pregnant as a result of an affair with Arturo (Israel Elejalde). Nonetheless, she is excited about what lies ahead of her. Also single and unexpectedly pregnant, adolescent Ana (Milena Smit) is frightened and unsure of her ability to cope. The two women find themselves connecting in various and unexpected ways as their lives take many surprising twists and turns.

This is the eighth film that director Pedro Almodóvar (Pain and Glory, Julieta) and Cruz have worked on together over the last 25 years. Almodóvar returns to his familiar theme of strong women whose lives are intertwined in a story that’s both personal and political, and linked to Spain’s troubled history.

Nominated for 2 Oscars in 2022, including Best Actress (Penélope Cruz).