The Spanish film, Volver by Pedro Almodover was released in 2006. The film leaves the viewer a bit confused but this maybe a result of its unusual structure. At one point you think that the film is in typical Dramatic Structure; following the life of Raimunda played by Penelope Cruz. What confuses some viewers is that the focus of the story seems to shift from Raimunda as the main character and bounces around to different characters in the film. In typical dramatic structure the film has a clear beginning, middle and end. There is action that propels the story from the beginning to a climax and from there, action that seeks about a resolution.
The viewer gets a sense of rising tension between Raimunda’s husband Paco and her daughter Paula when he start to look at her sexually. When he acts on his perverted sexual desire Paula stabs him (climax). When Raimunda comes home to his body lying on the floor,
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One distinctive cultural element is the ritual of death. In Spanish culture caring for the dying is important. A female relative, in this case Irene, stays in the home of the dying until their last breath. This allows the time where unresolved issues in the family are resolved. Irene cared for Aunt Paula and all others thought she was crazy since Irene was believed to be dead. Later, Augustina is dying and Irene takes on the responsibility of caring for her. The viewer assumes that Irene will tell Augustina that she was responsible for her mother’s death, resolving Augustina’s plot objective of finding out what happened to her mother. Furthermore, the Spanish culture of death is illustrated by the wake held in Aunt Paula’s home. The family members sit and share memories of Aunt Paula while her body is in another room waiting to be buried. Death is of high importance. Spanish woman even go to the grave yard to clean the graves of the