volverr

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143 Terms

1
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Why is female solidarity the emotional core of the film?

It acts as resistance against male abandonment and forms the emotional foundation for the women.

2
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In which scenes do women help each other without needing explanations?

When Sole takes Regina to work and when they all support Raimunda at the restaurant.

3
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What does this mutual help imply about the female community?

It builds a practical and emotional bond through unspoken understanding.

4
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What does this solidarity hide or enable?

It covers crimes like Paco’s murder, showing both strength and moral ambiguity.

5
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Why is this solidarity still hopeful?

It shows collective female power and support overcoming adversity.

6
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7
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How does the absence or toxicity of men intensify female solidarity?

It allows women to grow and unite without male dominance.

8
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What are examples of abusive, absent or violent men in the film?

Paco is abusive, Raimunda’s father was violent, and many men are dead or gone.

9
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How does male absence help female autonomy?

It creates space for women to flourish and develop independence.

10
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Why might the lack of positive men be criticised?

It simplifies gender dynamics and may feel one-sided.

11
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Why is the absence of men intentional in the film?

To keep the focus solely on female strength and unity.

12
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13
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How is solidarity shown between generations?

Through Irene’s return and her emotional reconciliation with Raimunda.

14
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What does the Irene-Raimunda reconciliation show?

Forgiveness and understanding can rebuild broken family bonds.

15
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Why is intergenerational forgiveness important?

It helps heal past trauma and reinforces female unity.

16
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What criticism might arise from the speed of forgiveness?

It may seem unrealistic or rushed.

17
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How does the film justify the quick forgiveness?

It's driven by deep emotional need and strengthens the message of sorority.

18
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19
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How does Almodóvar break the submissive female archetype?

By portraying complex women with diverse and powerful roles.

20
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What are Raimunda’s multiple roles?

She is a mother, worker, killer, protector and singer.

21
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What does this variety of roles say about women?

They are not defined by men, but by their own complexity.

22
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What criticism might exist about the men in the film?

Men may appear caricatured or one-dimensional.

23
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Why is the simplification of men justified?

It shifts focus entirely onto ignored female experiences.

24
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25
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What traditional male roles do women take over?

Women become leaders, protectors, and decision-makers.

26
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How does Raimunda show this role reversal?

She kills Paco and confidently runs a restaurant.

27
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What does her leadership say about gender roles?

It proves that leadership isn't limited to men.

28
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What issue might arise from her empowerment?

It comes from trauma, not freedom.

29
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Why is her empowerment still valid?

Despite trauma, it becomes genuine strength and challenges patriarchy.

30
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31
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How does the film reduce the male gaze?

By focusing on women's emotions, not their bodies.

32
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What technique does Almodóvar use to avoid sexualisation?

The camera avoids objectifying shots and focuses on intimacy.

33
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What impact does this camera style have?

It builds empathy with female characters instead of objectification.

34
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Why might this approach be criticised?

It could ignore female sexual desire.

35
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Why does the film prioritise this technique?

It gives women narrative control and centers their point of view.

36
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37
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How do women show strength after male abuse?

By protecting their children and turning trauma into resilience.

38
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What example shows Raimunda’s strength?

She was abused by her father but fiercely protects Paula.

39
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What does this emotional evolution show?

Trauma can become a source of empowerment and strength.

40
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What criticism could be made about their strength?

That the women are idealised as too strong or invincible.

41
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How is their strength portrayed realistically?

As quiet, everyday and deeply human — not exaggerated.

42
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43
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How does Raimunda act decisively under pressure?

She kills Paco, hides the evidence, and explains it away quickly.

44
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What is the meaning of her line “women’s things”?

It uses irony to hide violence, showing cleverness and defiance.

45
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What does this say about her personality?

She's resourceful, strong, and morally complex.

46
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Why might some judge her actions negatively?

They could be seen as immoral or unjustified.

47
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How does the film justify Raimunda’s violence?

As self-defence in an abusive context, earning audience sympathy.

48
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49
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Why is female strength collective, not just individual?

Because women unite to handle extreme situations together.

50
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What scene shows collective female action?

They all help move Paco’s body in solidarity.

51
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What does this act represent symbolically?

Community support to overcome emotional and moral challenges.

52
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What criticism could this unity receive?

It might seem unrealistic or idealised.

53
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How does Almodóvar portray it?

As a hopeful emotional utopia of real female support.

54
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55
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Why is the idea of “returning” central to the film?

It represents emotional redemption and healing of the past.

56
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How does Irene’s return symbolize this?

She comes back from the “dead” to support her daughter and granddaughter.

57
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What emotional themes are explored through her return?

Forgiveness, reconciliation and unhealed wounds.

58
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Why might her return seem unbelievable?

She is presumed dead and comes back as if nothing happened.

59
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Why is it acceptable within magical realism?

It symbolises emotional truth, not literal logic.

60
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61
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How does Raimunda experience personal rebirth?

She finds emotional peace, returns to singing, and runs a restaurant.

62
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What signs show her reinvention?

She smiles, sings again, and works independently.

63
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What message does this transformation carry?

That trauma can be overcome through action and renewal.

64
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What paradox exists in her rebirth?

It stems from past violence and suffering.

65
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How does the film resolve that paradox?

By showing pain transformed into female power and strength.

66
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67
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How is Volver a rebirth of Almodóvar’s cinematic style?

He returns to melodrama, female stories, and La Mancha settings.

68
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What elements of his earlier work return?

Strong women, emotional intensity, and rural life.

69
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How is this return more than repetition?

It reflects maturity and emotional depth.

70
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Why might critics call it formulaic?

Because he uses familiar themes and images.

71
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How is this repetition actually meaningful?

It reinterprets past motifs with deeper feeling and artistry.

72
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73
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Why are family secrets central in Volver?

They create emotional distance and tension between characters.

74
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What is the biggest secret between Raimunda and Irene?

Raimunda thinks Irene is dead; Irene is actually alive and hiding.

75
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What emotional effect do these lies have?

They damage mother–daughter relationships and build mistrust.

76
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Why might the audience question the lies?

They may seem too extreme or unrealistic.

77
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Why does Almodóvar use them?

To explore silence and survival among women.

78
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79
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How are lies passed down between generations?

As protective mechanisms and survival strategies.

80
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What secrets do Irene and Raimunda hide?

Irene hides abuse; Raimunda hides Paco’s murder.

81
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What is the role of silence in the film?

It’s a feminine heritage of survival and repression.

82
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Why might this silence be dangerous?

It could normalise hiding abuse and trauma.

83
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How does the film break this cycle?

By having characters finally tell the truth and confront the past.

84
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85
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How does the rural community help maintain secrets?

By refusing to openly acknowledge what they suspect.

86
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What shows the community suspects but stays quiet?

Neighbours think Irene is alive but say nothing.

87
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What social effect does this silence have?

It reinforces pressure to hide uncomfortable truths.

88
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What criticism might this setting face?

It might seem exaggerated as a critique of rural life.

89
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What is Almodóvar’s purpose in this portrayal?

To show the community’s complicity in female oppression.

90
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91
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What does the village represent in the film?

Tradition, rigid roles, and the weight of the past.

92
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What signs show the village’s traditionalism?

Superstitions, female duties, and emotional repression.

93
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How does the rural setting limit progress?

It creates emotional and social constraints, especially for women.

94
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What are some positive aspects of the village?

Supportive female community and close bonds.

95
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Why is the village a contradictory space?

It restricts and nurtures at the same time.

96
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97
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How does the city (Madrid) contrast with the village?

It represents freedom, modernity, and anonymity.

98
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How does Raimunda reinvent herself in Madrid?

She works, hides her past, and gains independence.

99
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Why is the city liberating?

Because no one watches or controls them there.

100
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What’s a negative side of urban life?

It can be isolating and emotionally cold.