ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER Director: PEDRO ALMODÓVAR 104 minutes, Spain-France, 1999, Subtitled, Colour, 35mm Book cinema tickets Described upon its release by New York Times critic Janet Maslin as Almodóvar’s “crossover moment”, this deservedly won both the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the award for Best Director at Cannes. Refining his overall approach, Almodóvar perfected the manner in which he referred to or paid homage to other film works – including his own – a device which now forms part of his trademark retro style. Here, the car accident around which the rest of the intricate plot revolves is a re-staging of a scene from John Cassavetes’ Opening Night (1977), a fitting tribute given that a great deal of this film is concerned with the unpredictable yet all-embracing world of performance. An exquisite maze of plot-lines, All About My Mother is full of warmth and pathos (Notes by Alice Butler.) 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. Director: PEDRO ALMODÓVAR 104 minutes, Spain-France, 1999, Subtitled, Colour, 35mm