One of my favorite Spanish actresses is Lola Dueñas. She may not be as famous as Penelope Cruz or Carmen Maura, but for more than 20 years she has been delighting me in both leading and supporting parts that I love to recall. You may remember her from such terrific character turns in Pedro Almodóvar films such as Talk To Her, Volver and Broken Embraces, and for her outstanding lead performances in Yo Tambien! and the Oscar-winning classic The Sea Inside.
Image 1: Lola Dueñas (center) in Volver Image 2: Lola Dueñas in Broken Embraces
This past year, Lola gave what I think may be the performance of her career in a film that we featured at the 2019 Miami Film Festival entitled Journey To A Mother’s Room (Viaje al cuatro de una madre). Did you see it? During the busy Festival, it might not have made it on to your schedule, but we are bringing the film back to Tower Theater Miami next week – this time with Lola herself to present and discuss the film, as well as the writer/director Celia Rico Clavellino.
- What: Screening + Q&A Reception Lola Dueñas & director Celia Rico Clavellino
- When: Thursday, May 16th, 7pm
- Where: MDC’s Tower Theater Miami, 1508 SW 8th Street
- Cost: $15 (or $12 for Miami Film Society members)
I feel certain that all lovers of film will want to know about this screening. Lola simply disappears into the role of Estrella, a single-parent seamstress whose only daughter is growing into her early 20’s and showing signs of restlessness with their quiet, simple daily routine. There were moments in the film where I completely forgot I was watching Lola Dueñas, and felt transported to memories of a similar time that I had gone through with my own mother, many years ago.
Image 3: Lola Dueñas (left) in Journey To A Mother’s Room
Such an experience is a great testament to Lola’s skill in bringing Estrella to life in both words and silences. A mother’s love is one of the most profound forces in life, and also one that we can too often take for granted. As we celebrate mothers this weekend on Mother’s Day, join us in continuing the celebration of mothers by making plans to see Journey To A Mother’s Room and meet Lola Dueñas in person at the screening and the reception after the film. Your ticket will include a complimentary bar by the Festival’s official beer sponsor Estrella Damm and featuring delicious food from Pairings by Tomás Cuadrado!
Tickets are available now, online at www.towertheatermiami.com or you can purchase them at the Tower in person. If you are not able to get to the special event on the 16th with Lola, you’ll still be able to at least see the film over the week of May 17th to 23rd, check with the theater for showtimes.
It’s really very worth it. I hope you’ll have a chance to join us.
