Volver

This film is a tribute to women and their resilience, and was shown in many ways. I was amazed at the strength Paula showed in defending herself and stopping the rape. At the time, she thinks she has killed her father, but as we find out later her grandfather is also her father. Paula's mother Ramunida is also an amazing woman. She was raped by her father, but really loves the child that was a result of this rape. She also speaks so highly of the love she thought her parents shared. She claims that her mother died in the arms of the man she loved. Ramunida is also strong when she finds her husband dead on the kitchen floor. She cleans up the mess, protects her daughter and disposes of the body. She then sees an opportunity to make a living using her neighbors restaurant. She is very resourceful when she makes the first meal, borrowing food from friends. The restaurant is kept busy by the film crew. Ramundia's sister Sole is also quite strong and enterprising. She turns her home into a secret beauty salon to make a living.
The mother of Ramundia and Sole is an interesting character. She is portrayed as a ghost. Many people in the village see her and accept this because they believe she has come back to take care of unfinished business so she can rest in peace. Resting in peace is portrayed as very important. In the beginning of the film, women are seen cleaning the grave markers at a cemetery. The wind is blowing, which doesn't make this an easy task. They also clean their own grave sites and take pride in polishing it and making it look nice. Sole is afraid of dead people and does not want to go to her Aunt's funeral. Ramundia talks her into going and tells her to take a tranquilizer. The village people seem to have superstitions about graves and the dead who are seen as ghosts. Augustina feels strongly it is the ghost of Ramundia and Sole's mother that has told her of their Aunt's death. Augustina thinks of her own mother and how odd it seems that she disappeared the same day as the fire that killed Ramundia and Sole's parents. Even though she wants to know what happened, she is unable to talk about her suspicions on television. When SOle's mother is knocking on the trunk, Sole seems unsure if she is seeing a ghost, but is willing to help her mom and lets her live with her.
All of the women faced challenges, but they were strong and courageous in dealing with them.