In Pepi, Luci, Bom y otras chicas del monton, director Pedro Almodovar covers everything from drugs and sexual violence to female masochism. The Spanish film begins with a policeman raping Pepi and catching her growing marijuana in her apartment, and Pepi seeking revenge by getting his masochist wife to leave him. I was personally disturbed by this outrageous comedy with the violence in sex, woman urinating on Luci, and the overall behavior of the housewives. The film is not only unique, but according to Almodovar, it is “a story about strong and vulnerable human beings in which throws viewers in a culture shock.”
I agree with Steven’s post, in which the director wanted to explore other cultural boundaries than just the typical traditional role women had in the 1980’s. Women were obviously housewives who were dependent on their husbands and must do what they are told by men. This film was very interesting to watch, especially with quotes from several characters that were definitely controversial. For example, Luci’s husband said, “one woman’s meat is another’s poison.” In addition, the husband condescends Luci in the middle of the film by yelling, “shut up! This is a man’s business,” (right after his twin brother got beaten up). This clearly shows how women were treated in this period of time, and it is interesting how Almodovar viewed Luci as becoming an independent woman at the end after she left her husband to be with another woman. This was a good way to end the film so viewers could see the changing role in society women were beginning to explore at that specific time.
Paige i really think your post changed my perspective about this movie! I was trying to get a single unify message hidden in back of it, and at the end i was just face with lots of opposing ideas! But what you said is true, this look like Almodovar was trying to explore not one but several different cultural boundaries and characters in his movie.
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