Almodóvar’s international breakthrough, nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown saw the director lose the rough edges of his earlier work while retaining his usual exuberant comic style and interest in fashioning complicated plots.

When Pepa (Carmen Maura, another Almodóvar regular) is dumped by married lover Iván in an answerphone message, the scene is set for a crazy 48-hour period in which Pepa tries to track Iván down, distracted along the way by, amongst other things, the troubles of her friend Candela, who has got mixed up with a terrorist cell, and the appearance of Iván’s apartment-hunting son Carlos (Antonio Banderas). Events hinge on chance and coincidence, creating a joyous romp with an ultimate message of female empowerment (Notes by Kevin Coyne.)

The IFI’s Focus on Pedro Almodóvar runs at the IFI from April 2nd to 24th. We are delighted to host a preview of Pedro Almodóvar’s new film I’m So Excited followed by a satellite Q&A with the director on April 23rd at 18.30. I’m So Excited opens at the IFI on May 3rd.