11.18 [Zero-Base Art Class] Life on the Fifth Floor × PT Express | Desire and Fabrication in Pedro Almodovar’s Films

Course Description:

Almodóvar's high interest in women is the richest and most fascinating part of his films. He explains that in the face of life's setbacks, men tend to retreat or simply drink themselves into a drunken stupor, numbing themselves, at best expressing their discomfort with restraint and in very general terms. On the contrary, women tend to explode, reacting impulsively, intensely, unpredictably, and amazingly! We sense in Almodóvar a real fascination with female psychology, as well as a real understanding. He often explains that when he sees two women talking on the street, or chatting in a cafe, he is willing to pay a lot of price to eavesdrop on their conversation like a little mouse (I do, by the way, but no journalist has asked me this question yet). This has led many to describe Almodóvar as: the director who tells women's stories best.

In addition, we will talk about the Madrid Movement in Spain, Movida, which was a brilliant cultural movement that took place in the late 70s, after 40 years of right-wing dictatorship. Psychedelic drugs, punk rock, homosexuality, feminism, film art and drama... Spanish young people finally gained freedom and completely rejected the conservative and Catholic values ​​that oppressed them in the past. The word "movida" comes from the Spanish "hacer una movida", which at the time meant leaving the center of Madrid to stock up on drugs and then return to the capital to consume them. Therefore, from a social point of view, it was essentially a rapid (sometimes excessive) moral liberation.

It is from this moment that Almodóvar begins to blossom, with a complete and unrestricted acceptance of desire, which translates into the pansexuality present in his films. It is also reflected in his efforts to make films and find multiple ways to express his interests, thoughts and emotions...

To get to know this director, you are invited to join the live course on 11/18 and enter the colorful world of Almodovar!

About the speaker:

PT Express, (Former) Asian Contemporary Art Museum Viki+ (Former) French Senior Art Publisher Eric, Professional and independent, introducing contemporary art.

Professionalism PT Express continues to teach contemporary art and artist creation through writing research and online courses. It also holds on-site art gallery courses in Paris, where visitors can visit and interact with the works of art.

Independence: Not affiliated with any commercial organization, exhibitions and artists are selected based on their richness and quality. Through contemporary art courses, public account articles and art walks, we lead everyone to understand contemporary art.

Event Information:

5th floor Living Art Concept Store, 14 Rue de Crussol, 75011 Paris

2023.11.18 (Saturday) 14:30-16:00

Price: 18 Euros per person (including drinks)