Social and Historical Context

Question 1

What does Raimunda work as?

Answer 1

A cleaner at an airport

Question 2

What does Sole work as?

Answer 2

She has an illegal hair salon in her apartment

Question 3

How can Raimunda and Sole’s jobs be described?

Answer 3

As humble jobs

Question 4

When was the film released? What does the film show about the time period?

Answer 4

2006

Shows how many people from villages/small towns (La Mancha) had emigrated to the city (Vallecas) to look for a better life and job

Question 5

When did Almodovar move to Madrid and why?

Answer 5

As a young man, to take advantage of the greater employment opportunities there

Question 6

What percentage of employment in Madrid is in the service sector?

Answer 6

80% primarily in lower-paid positions in the hotel and catering industry

Question 7

What social class do Raimunda and Sole belong to?

Answer 7

Working class

Question 8

Where exactly do Raimunda and Sole live, and why?

Answer 8

On the outskirts of Madrid to avoid the prohibitive costs of Central Madrid

Question 9

How is Madrid depicted in Volver?

Answer 9

In the suburb of Vallecas, without the glamour or rich history that the viewer may expect to see from such a major city

Question 10

What happened during the 1960s in Vallecas?

Answer 10

Many rural Spanish immigrants settled there

Question 11

How is Vallecas represented?

Answer 11

As a neighbourhood with a strong sense of community (e.g. the neighbours helping Raimunda with the restaurant, Regina helping Raimunda to bury the freezer with Paco’s body)

Despite struggling in their working lives, the people of Vallecas are optimistic and energetic whether from rural Spain or abroad

Question 12

What is Vallecas known for?

Answer 12

For having a reputation of being anti-Franco during the years of dictatorship

Question 13

What false name is given to La Mancha?

Answer 13

Alcanfor de las Infantas

Question 14

Where is Almodovar originally from?

Answer 14

Calzada de Calatrava, a small town in La Mancha

Question 15

What is the capital city of La Mancha?

Answer 15

Toledo

Question 16

What is La Mancha most famous for?

Answer 16

Queso Manchego (Manchego cheese), wine from Valdepeñas and the novel Don Quijote de la Mancha

Question 17

What is the economy of La Mancha sustained by?

Answer 17

Livestock, vineyards and wind energy (wind turbines)

Question 18

What percentage of the population of Castilla-La Mancha is over 65 years of age?

Answer 18

20%

Question 19

How is the gastronomy of La Mancha represented?

Answer 19

Through the Manchegan food from Tia Paula, which Sole and Raimunda take home with them to enjoy throughout the week

Question 20

How is the gastronomy of Vallecas represented?

Answer 20

Through the enthusiasm of Raimunda’s neighbours to provide her with food such as biscuits and meat to help with the restaurant

Question 21

What genre of TV was popular in Spain in the early 20th centrury?

Answer 21

Trash TV (reality, talk shows etc) such as Sálvame and El Diario de Patricia

Question 22

What topics were most popular on trash TV talk shows?

Answer 22

Personal testimonies about people’s private lives such as illnesses, crimes, fights/arguments and romance

Question 23

How are funerals celebrated in La Mancha?

Answer 23

Following Spanish tradition with a wake held the night after the death of the deceased in their own home or a family member’s home

Men and women are in separate rooms

Women have the most important role of praying for the entire night and remembering the deceased

The women share experiences and gossip about superstitions

Question 24

Which character is the only one who does not believe in ghosts?

Answer 24

Raimunda

Question 25

What do the older generations in rural places such as La Mancha believe happens when a person dies?

Answer 25

That their spirit stays with us, even more so if that person had unresolved issues or something to finish e.g. the spirit stays to tell their family something, help them or warn them

Question 26

What does the plot of Volver rely heavily on?

Answer 26

The idea that superstition is rife in rural towns and villages

Question 27

What is the most predominant religion in Spain?

Answer 27

Catholicism

Question 28

What are Raimunda and Sole doing in the opening scene of the film?

Answer 28

Cleaning and polishing the gravestone of their parents; a traditional ritual embedded in Manchegan culture

Question 29

What day are Raimunda and Sole preparing for?

Answer 29

All Saints' Day (Día de Todos los Santos); a holiday of remembrance in honour of deceased relatives to ensure that they are not forgotten

Question 30

Which character questions the traditions of gravestone cleaning? What does her attitude reflect about modern Spaniards?

Answer 30

Paula; she calls the tradition strange Her confused attitude reflects the gradual culture change in the modern generation who care less and less about religion and tradition

Question 31

What percentage of Spaniards identify as Catholic, and what percentage actually attend mass once or more each month?

Answer 31

more than 70% identify as Catholic but only 20% attend mass (misa)

Question 32

What gender does Almodóvar focus on in his films?

Answer 32

Women

Question 33

What nickname (apodo) is used to refer to actresses who have worked with Almodóvar?

Answer 33

"chica Almodóvar" e.g. Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura

Question 34

How do the characters in Volver represent typical Manchegan women?

Answer 34

They are based on exaggerated stereotypes of Manchegan woman

Question 35

How can Raimunda be described?

Answer 35

As an attractive, strong-willed young woman who is a survivor of family tragedy (sexual abuse) and a mother who protects her daughter before anything else

Question 36

How can Agustina be described?

Answer 36

As a visual opposite to Raimunda despite them both being similar in age As a less attractive woman, however she has an overwhelming amount of generosity and empathy towards others

Question 37

How can Irene be described?

Answer 37

As a typical Manchegan woman and a mother whose only wish is to reunite with her daughters

Question 38

How can Tia Paula be described?

Answer 38

As a typical Manchegan grandma; kooky, absent-minded and caring

Question 39

What percentage of Spanish mothers are not married? What do these mothers symbolise?

Answer 39

more than 40% They are a symbol of strength and heroism in modern society, considering many of them work in demanding jobs for low pay whilst still having to fill the role of a traditional housewife