Parallel Mothers: Madres Paralelas Ending Explained What Does The Skeleton Scene Mean In Parallel Mothers?

Pedro Almodóvar’s film Parallel Mothers (Madres Paralelas) revolves around two thematic nuclei: one is the motherhood of two women who meet for the first time in the labor room, the other is that of a painful chapter of twentieth-century Spanish history that still awaits a resolution. The film illustrates the motherhood of two women in parallel: the photographer Janis (Penelope Cruz) who becomes pregnant in old age and considers her daughter as a miracle and the very young Ana (Milena Smit), single mother from a wealthy family who neglects her. When Janis wants her daughter, Ana would like to have as little to do with her as possible.

Motherhood is a theme dear to the Spanish director, the core of many of his cult titles of the 90s. In Madres Paralelas we always speak of a family of blood as opposed to families based on affection, of strong women and matriarchs ready to face life head on, who desire or shy away from motherhood. No new positions and strong messages in his films, Pedro Almodóvar in this film has decided to tackle the burning issue of the mass graves where they were buried Franco’s opponents during the dictatorship: the film is inspired by true events in Spain of yesterday and today. The two narrative nuclei culminate inclosed of the film, with one of the most powerful scenes seen this year at the cinema.

Ana Makes Peace With Janis

In the final stages of the film Janis decides to reveal to young Ana the truth she discovered through DNA tests: their two daughters had been swapped at the hospital. Ana’s daughter who died of brain immaturity was actually Janis’s. The little girl still alive, Janis’s daughter Ana takes care of as a babysitter, is actually her true blood daughter. Shocked by the revelation, Ana accuses Janis of not truly loving her and only exploiting her, leaving the house with her daughter. The next day Janis goes to the Manso Ferreras family home to give a final, dramatic farewell to the little girl.

A few months later we find Janis in her birthplace in a small town in Spain. His ex-Arturo managed to get funding to dig in the field where dissidents are suspected to have been buried during the Franco era, including Janis’ grandfather. In the village Janis collects with Arturo the testimonies of the other relatives of the disappeared who are still missing. The investigator asks to tell the circumstances of the disappearance and any clothes and objects that could help the identification. Among the witnesses there are children and grandchildren who were told what had happened, but also some elderly people who were present at the roundups as a child.

The Scene Of The Skeletons

As the initial stages of the excavation begin, Ana and Elena arrive in the car, along with Ana’s baby girl. We therefore understand that Ana and Janis have made peace and the first allows the second to be an integral part of her daughter’s life. Sentimentally speaking, Janis seems linked to Arturo, but nothing is made explicit.

Researchers come across the first remains in a short time: the first bones and some personal effects emerge, including a rattle that Janis’ grandfather was using to make her play when the militia showed up at the door. The town is gathered around the excavation and observes the scene with emotion. In the last sequence of the film the skeletons are transformed into bodies: the excavation has brought to light the bones of the disappeared, giving them an identity and dignity.

How Does Madres Paralelas End?

Ana and Janis make peace: she will be the first to raise the child, but the second can be part of her life. Arturo finds the funds to dig in Janis’ hometown: the skeletons of the disappeared emerge from the mass grave.

What Does The Skeleton Scene Mean In Madres Paralelas?

The skeletons of the local disappeared are found in the mass grave outside the town of Janis. In the last sequence we see their bodies recompose, returning to the stage immediately following death. It is a sort of allegory with which the Spanish director wants to symbolize the finding of the human dignity and personal identity of those dead, once the grave in which they were hidden is discovered and their remains identified and returned to their families.

Who Will Raise Madres Paralelas’ Baby Girl?

The child will be raised by Ana, her blood mother. In the film’s finale we understand that the young woman has forgiven Janis and will allow her to be part of the child’s daughter.