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Los valores tradicionales y modernos

“Sí, aquí es costumbre.”

Raimunda explains that people in the village buy their burial plots and maintain them during their lives. This demonstrates the importance of traditions surrounding death and the way customs are passed down through generations.

“La ropa de los muertos se hay que regalarla.”

After Raimunda notices her mother's clothes at Sole's house, she immediately leaves and explains that the clothes of dead people should be given away. This shows the traditional attitudes towards death and mourning that exist within the family.

“Siempre hay cosas que se dejan sin hacer…”

Irene says this while talking with Sole. The comment reflects the unfinished business and unresolved relationships within the family, particularly between Irene and Raimunda.

“Los fantasmas no lloran.”

At the end, Irene says this to Raimunda after Raimunda tells her that she needed her. The supernatural is treated almost as something ordinary, showing how traditional beliefs about ghosts and the dead remain part of the characters' worldview.

La igualdad de los sexos

“Las mujeres de aquí viven más que los hombres.”

Sole says this in the opening cemetery scene. It immediately establishes the film's focus on women rather than men, with the women taking responsibility for the graves and traditions.

“No hemos tenido suerte con los hombres…”

Irene says this when discussing Raimunda's relationship with Paco. The women recognise that the men in their lives have caused them suffering, creating a contrast between female solidarity and negative male behaviour.

“Se desabrochó el pantalón, diciendo siempre que aquello no era malo y que no era mi padre.”

Paula explains to Raimunda what happened when Paco tried to abuse her. This is crucial for machismo, abuse of women and the vulnerability of women within patriarchal relationships.

“Con tu escote y mis mojitos podemos hacernos de oro.”

Regina says this to Raimunda during the restaurant party. The women work together to make the restaurant successful, although the comment also draws attention to the way women's appearance can be commercially exploited.

“Ahora soy tu cómplice.”

Regina says this after helping Raimunda deal with Paco's body. Regina, an undocumented immigrant without work, chooses to support Raimunda, demonstrating female solidarity between women from different backgrounds.

La identidad regional en España

“Sí, aquí es costumbre.”

Raimunda explains the village tradition of buying and maintaining one's own grave. This is an excellent quote for tradiciones y costumbres.

“Las mujeres de aquí viven más que los hombres.”

Sole's comment in the cemetery immediately establishes the particular culture of the village and the importance of women within the local community.

“La jipa hippie del pueblo.”

Agustina uses this expression while discussing the local community. It helps establish the distinctive character and social relationships of the village.

“En mi pueblo hay muchos incendios…”

Agustina says this during her appearance on television. It refers to the recurring fires in the region and reinforces the film's connection with La Mancha and its rural environment.

“Con tu escote y mis mojitos podemos hacernos de oro.”

Regina says this during the restaurant party. The restaurant becomes an important way of presenting food, hospitality and social life, while Raimunda's cooking helps connect the film to regional gastronomy.

La maternidad

“Recuerda que fui yo quien lo mató, y que tú no lo viste…”

Immediately after Paula kills Paco while defending herself, Raimunda tells her daughter to remember that Raimunda was responsible. She is prepared to take the blame to protect her daughter, demonstrating extreme maternal love.

“Mamá, tú no sabes lo que es haber matado a tu padre.”

Paula says this when she discovers that Paco's body is still in the freezer. She is struggling with the psychological consequences of what happened and sees Raimunda's protection as connected to her own complicated relationship with her father.

“Paco no era tu padre.”

Raimunda responds to Paula. This becomes particularly significant later because the film reveals the complicated truth about Paula's parentage and Raimunda's relationship with her own parents.

“Porque me sentía muy sola.”

Irene gives this explanation when Paula asks why she has returned as a ghost. It reveals Irene's emotional motivation and her desire to reconnect with her daughters after death.

“Te necesitaba mamá…”

Raimunda says this to Irene near the end of the film. After all the secrets between mother and daughter have been revealed, Raimunda finally acknowledges that she still needs her mother.

La muerte

“Las mujeres de aquí viven más que los hombres.”

Sole says this in the opening cemetery scene. Death is introduced immediately, and the cemetery establishes it as a normal part of life in the village.

“Esta casa sigue oliendo a mamá.”

Sole says this when she enters Tía Paula's house. The smell of the house makes her think of their mother, demonstrating how the dead remain present through memories and objects.

“La ropa de los muertos se hay que regalarla.” — Raimunda says this when she sees her mother's clothes. It demonstrates a traditional response to death and shows that objects can preserve the presence of someone who has died.

“Porque me sentía muy sola.”

Irene explains why she has returned after death. The supernatural element means that death does not completely separate Irene from her family.

“Los fantasmas no lloran.”

Irene says this to Raimunda at the end. The quote encapsulates the film's unusual treatment of death: the boundary between life and death is deliberately blurred.

La solidaridad femenina

“Somos una familia pobre, pues viviremos como una familia pobre.”

Raimunda says this after Paco loses his job. Rather than allowing the family's financial difficulties to defeat them, she accepts the situation pragmatically and takes responsibility for supporting the family.

“No quiero que pienses que me aprovecho.” — Raimunda says this when paying Regina and Inés. She is conscious that she is asking the women for help and wants to compensate them fairly, showing mutual respect between women.

“Ahora soy tu cómplice.” — Regina says this when she agrees to help Raimunda. Their relationship develops from employer/worker into genuine cooperation and friendship.

“Con tu escote y mis mojitos podemos hacernos de oro.” — Regina says this at the restaurant party. The two women combine their different skills to make the business successful, demonstrating female cooperation and economic independence.

“No hemos tenido suerte con los hombres…” — Irene says this while discussing the women's experiences with men. The quote connects their shared experiences of problematic men with their stronger bonds with one another.

La inmigración

This connects to AQA's Multiculturalism in Hispanic society, particularly La inmigración and Los indocumentados – problemas.

“No tengo trabajo, no tengo papeles…”

Regina says this when explaining her situation to Raimunda. It directly demonstrates the difficulties faced by an undocumented immigrant, particularly unemployment and lack of legal status.

“Ahora soy tu cómplice.”

Regina says this after agreeing to help Raimunda. Despite her own precarious circumstances, she becomes an important source of support for Raimunda.

“No quiero que pienses que me aprovecho.”

Raimunda says this when paying Regina and Inés. It shows that Raimunda recognises the economic vulnerability of the women helping her.

“Con tu escote y mis mojitos podemos hacernos de oro.”

Regina says this while working with Raimunda. It demonstrates how immigrant women can participate in the labour market and entrepreneurial activity.

“Claro, de eso vivo.”

Sole says this when Irene asks about her illegal hairdressing business. Although it isn't specifically about immigration, it illustrates the informal economy and precarious employment within the film.

Los cambios en la familia

“Esta casa sigue oliendo a mamá.”

Sole says this when visiting Tía Paula's house. The house acts as a physical reminder of the previous generation and demonstrates the importance of family memory.

“No hemos tenido suerte con los hombres…”

Irene says this when discussing the women's relationships. It highlights the complicated family relationships caused by the men's behaviour.

“Tu madre no me quería…”

Irene says this to Paula when explaining her relationship with Raimunda. It reveals the long

“Paco no era tu padre.”

Raimunda says this to Paula after Paula has discovered the truth surrounding Paco's death. The revelation changes Paula's understanding of her family and her identity.

“Te necesitaba mamá…”

Raimunda says this to Irene at the end. Despite all the secrets and conflict, the relationship between mother and daughter is ultimately repaired.