Talk to Her offers profound insights into the nature of love and friendship and raises important philosophical and moral questions in unsettling and often paradoxical ways. This is the first book to explore and address the philosophical aspects of Almodovar's film.
Pedro Almodóvar is one of the most renowned film directors of recent years. Talk to Her is one of the most discussed and controversial of all his films. Dealing principally with the issue of rape, it also offers profound insights into the nature of love and friendship whilst raising important philosophical and moral questions in unsettling and often paradoxical ways.
This is the first book to explore and address the philosophical aspects of Almodóvar's film. Opening with a helpful introduction by Noël Carroll that places the film in context, specially commissioned chapters examine the following topics:
The relationship between art and morality and the problem of 'immoralism'
Moral injury and its role in the way we form moral judgments, including the ethics of love and friendship
The nature of dialogue, sexual objectification and what 'listening to' means in the context of gender
Almodóvar's use of allusion and the unmasking of appearances to explore hidden themes in human nature.
Including a biography of Almodóvar, Talk to Her is essential reading for students interested in philosophy and film as well as ethics and gender. It is also provides an accessible and informative insight into philosophy for those in related disciplines such as film studies, literature and religion.
Contributors: Noël Carroll, A. W. Eaton, Cynthia Freeland, Robert B. Pippin, C.D.C. Reeve, and George M. Wilson
'A collection of clear, concise and highly readable essays devoted to the exploration of Almodóvar's provocative film, providing not only an outstanding introduction to the film itself but also an examination of the many philosophical questions that it serves to raise. This book is a welcome addition to the literature on philosophy and film, and will provide a superb resource for those studying in this field.'- Christopher Falzon, The University of Newcastle, Australia
'These are insightful essays about a deeply disturbing film that challenges our ordinary presumptions concerning morality, art, love, gender, and appearance. The line-up of writers is first-rate.'- Daniel Flory, Montana State University, USA
