El Patio Spanish Language School

Image by Penelope Ray

In Almodóvar’s 1983 film, Dark Habits, Yolanda and the Mother Superior sing a duo and then chat about their musical tastes. “I love music that talks about feelings: boleros, tangos, merengues, salsas, rancheras. It’s the kind of music that tells the truth about life,” says Yolanda. It seems that Almodóvar shares these sentiments, as in each of his movies there’s a song in which all the protagonists’ emotions spew forth. It’s only through music that they can express all the drama, passion, pain and desire that they’ve contained within themselves.

Isidro has chosen 14 songs that all appear in Almodóvar’s movies. Like a colourful scene from one his films, the playlist begins with a mambo by the Chilean singer Monna Bell used in the director’s first feature, Pepi, Luci, Bom. It continues in chronological order with songs by other famous singers such as the multi-talented Luz Casal, the captivating Sara Montiel, the flamenco star Estrella Morente and the unmistakable Concha Buika.

Isidro’s playlist also includes the Brazilians, Luiz Bonfá with his guitar, and Caetano Veloso singing a famous Mexican song. The Mexican influence continues with a number of ranchera songs so popular in Almodóvar’s films, here sung by Lola Beltrán and Chavela Vargas, who also closes Isidro’s compilation with the theme song from Julieta, the director’s latest movie.

It’s the perfect selection with a touch of Latin drama and passion!