Bad Education
Overview
An examination on the effect of Franco-era religious schooling and sexual abuse on the lives of two longtime friends.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released in 2004, 'Bad Education' delves into the dark corners of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals, reflecting a growing societal awareness and outrage regarding such issues. The film's exploration of trans identity and the complexities of desire was also groundbreaking for its time, contributing to a broader conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in cinema.
- Gael García Bernal's mesmerizing and nuanced performance as Father Ángel/Juan; he embodies both vulnerability and manipulative control with stunning skill.
- The intricate and suspenseful plot, masterfully crafted by Pedro Almodóvar, keeps you guessing until the very end with its twists and turns.
- The film explores complex themes of sexual abuse, religious hypocrisy, identity, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma, making it both provocative and deeply affecting.
- The film's visually striking cinematography and Almodóvar's signature vibrant color palette contribute to a captivating and immersive viewing experience.
Fun Facts
- Gael García Bernal was initially hesitant to take on the role due to its sensitive subject matter, but Almodóvar's conviction persuaded him.
- The film's title in Spanish, 'La Mala Educación,' is a direct reference to the poor education Ángel/Juan received, but also hints at a broader societal corruption.
- The scene where Enrique (Fele Martinez) watches a short film directed by Ángel is a subtle nod to Almodóvar's own filmography and his recurring themes of cinematic representation and storytelling.
Available Languages
English
US
Title: Bad Education
""
Italiano
IT
Title: La mala educación
""
Deutsch
DE
Title: La Mala Educación - Schlechte Erziehung
""
Français
FR
Title: La Mauvaise Éducation
""
Español
ES
Title:
"Una Película de Pedro Almodóvar"
Português
PT
Title: Má Educação
""
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
This film treads the fine line between providing an entertaining and sexy piece of cinema with the identification of the serious issues of sexual abuse committed if not always by the clergy, then certainly under their auspices, in Franco's Spain. The story centres around aspiring actor "Angel" (Gael Garciá Bernal) who turns up, unannounced, at the door of his former schoolfriend. This man "Enrique" (Fele Martinez) has gone on to become a successful film director and, perhaps optimistically, "Angel" hopes that the unfinished manuscript he has brought might turn out to be his ticket to success. It transpires that these men have not seen each other since school (some 16 years earlier) and that this document is semi-autobiographical - it takes both back to their childhood where, under the supervision of "Fr. Manolo" (Daniel Giménez Cacho) they attended a catholic school where they had sexual encounters with each other and with others with varying degrees willingness. The story is dark, certainly, but here is plenty of humour and shagging as the story unfolds. We are deliberately left to judge the extent to which "Angel" is being truthful, fanciful or just plain enthusiastic, and we are also offered a fairly unique take on how vengeance might be applied. The narrative is complex, the timelines and characters shift making it quite a thought provoking film to both watch and begin to understand. Well worth it, though!
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar