Intertextual Devices in the Work of Pedro Almódovar: An Integrated View

• Main Authors: Yang, Yu-Chieh, 楊羽絜
• Other Authors: Dinu Luca
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/5666q7

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 歐洲文化與觀光研究所 === 105 === My thesis explores the legacy of Pedro Almodóvar, a Spanish film director, screenwriter and producer of international fame. The ways Almodóvar deals with the role of women, sexual desire, violence, drugs, homosexuality and many controversial issues have built his reputation. This renowned director was a pioneer of La Movida Madrileña, a short cultural renaissance that began in Madrid after the death of dictator Francisco Franco. Almodóvar was greatly influenced by pop culture and the rise of Postmodernism in the 1960s. Besides this inspiration from cultural trends and social movements, his creative style was also inspired by his own unique life experiences. In this thesis, I focus on how Almodóvar uses intertextuality as a cinematic technique to depict stories and entertain audiences. This thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter one is a sketch of Spain’s cultural background in the 20th century, including chronicling the most significant historical events and outlining the contemporary Spanish film industry. In chapter two, based on critics’ statements and Almodóvar’s interviews, I examine this director’s whole life experiences and the themes and genres of his films. Chapter three is an overview of intertextuality, including allusion, pastiche, parody, quotation and mise en abyme as postmodernist devices, with a focus on how they are presented in an Almodóvaran way. Reviewing their historical use first, I next concentrate on how these devices function in Almodóvar’s films. Finally, my conclusions come in chapter four.