Male Bodies in Pedro Almodóvar’s Filmography: Representations of White Masculinities in the Context of Contemporary Spanish Society

Abstract

By means of exploring masculinities at a representational level, the present Master Thesis develops a sociological, intersectional analysis of white masculinities in contemporary Spanish society. The research focuses on the white male fictional characters depicted throughout the filmography of the most renowned Spanish director: Pedro Almodóvar. Considering cinematographic productions as a prominent platform that generates and reflects normative social stereotypes, this research examines the extremely powerful symbolic implications of the privileged positions represented by white masculinities. In order to analyse the interconnected plurality of masculinities, this work adapts R.W. Connell’s relational model (Connell, 2005). Thus, according to the four typologies identified in Connell’s theory, which are constrained by the relations of hegemony, complicity, subordination and marginalization, I examine in depth a broad range of white male characters portrayed in Almodóvar’s features. This research articulates an innovative approach to Almodóvar’s filmography not only through the adaptation of Connell’s model but also through an extremely fruitful intersectional perspective. Consequently, this thesis shows the existence of a meaningful diversity of masculinities represented within ‘Almodóvar’s universe’, while also informs of the way in which these white male characters are necessarily related to the current Spanish social context. Finally, according to my general goal of contributing to the field of masculinity studies, this work critically engages with Connell’s theory, seeking to further develop its theoretical potential.