Nearly forty years after its release, The Law of Desire remains one of the most daring and emblematic works of Pedro Almodóvar. Made in 1987, this flamboyant melodrama marks a turning point in the Spanish filmmaker’s career by fully affirming the themes that will run through his work: desire, identity, romantic passion and the freedom to be oneself. The film follows Pablo, a rising director, whose life is turned upside down when he becomes the object of Antonio’s obsessive love, a young man willing to do anything to be loved in return. Between passion, jealousy and tragedy, Almodóvar constructs a story where feelings are experienced without restraint, in a Spain still marked by the upheavals of post-Francoism. Carried by the magnetic interpretations of Eusebio Poncela, Carmen Maura and a young Antonio Banderas, The Law of Desire impresses with its modernity. Where many films of the time confined LGBTQIA+ characters to secondary or stereotypical roles, Almodóvar places them at the center of the story, with a rare freedom and humanity. The director refuses any form of moral judgment and films his characters with the same intensity, whether they are victims of their passions or their own contradictions. Today considered a classic of European queer cinema, The Law of Desire continues to fascinate with its narrative audacity and emotional power. This exceptional session, organized in partnership with Cinéphilae and benefits from the support of the Casino’s 15/25 Ambassadors, will take place on Sunday 06/21 at 6 p.m. (in original). The screening will be followed by an exchange with Marie Vassort, speaker, moderator and trainer, around the themes of the film, its heritage in the history of cinema and the representation of LGBTQIA + identities on screen. At the end of the meeting, the public is invited to share the traditional “P’tite Bouffe” of La Sauce du Casino, organized on the 1st floor of the cinema in the presence of the guest. A friendly moment to continue discussions in the spirit of openness and sharing that animates this evening of Pride Month.
