Volver Discussion by Renee Williams

Volver in translation to English literally means "to return". Who was returning? Well, I believe that would include all the major female characters of this film but also, it evolves around sisters who live in Madrid (Raimunda and Sole) and "the return" of their mother, Irene. Secrets become revealed and old emotional wounds are opened...... but before the film is over, the healing process has begun for all the women. You could say ghosts/superstition helped them survive and become strong.

This film slowly unfolds pasts full of pain for Raimunda and her mother Irene. Raimunda was molested and became pregnant from her father. After Irene found out from her sister, Aunt Paula, that her husband molested their daughter Raimunda. Irene went to confront him but found her husband and Augistina's mother (neighbor) in bed with each other...She murdered both of them by burning down the hut they were in. Nothing was left but ashes. After the murders, Irene vanished from the small village of La Mancha and became a ghosts to family and friends. This tragic past had left many questions, especially for Augistina. Her mother disappeared the day Raimunda's parents were killed in the burning hut. Augistina knew of the affairs and struggled with the question of her mother's disappearance/death. Even when she was diagnosed with cancer Augistina could not let go until she knew what happened to her mother. Sole (short for soledad, loneliness) was abandoned by her husband who left her. She was able to make a living by becoming a hairdresser. She was able to transform her apartment into a beauty shop so she could survive. Paula (Raimunda's daughter) was strong enough to stand up to her step-father who was attempting to rape her. Circumstances unforeseen....Paula was holding a knife at the time of the attack for protection and threat. Her father/step-father came after her and ran into the blade. When Raimunda came home from working Paula showed her the body and they worked together to get rid of him. From all these tragic happenings you can see that this film was is a tribute to women and their resilience in the face of life's most outrageous tribulations.

Once again death is a strong aspect of this cultures life. In the beginning of this film you can see that death is celebrated and treasured by witnessing all the women of the village cleaning and tending to all the grave sites. At the wake of Aunt Paula, you can see the tension between the superstitious beliefs and the real life aspects when Agustina tells the story of how she was alerted of Aunt Paula's death. Also at the end of this film when Agustina is diagnosed with cancer she is home alone to take care of herself. Irene shows herself to help and care for her. Agustina immediately believes that Irene is a ghost and accepts her help without question.