45 years ago, this legendary director made his first film and acted in a daring scene. did you know him

The first film with the smell of scandal

In 1980, Spain discovered Pepi, Lucy, Bom and the other girls next door, the first feature film of the daring young director Pedro Almodovar. Shot on a modest budget in 16mm, the film captures the coming of Madrid, the excitement of this post-Franco cultural movement, where art and irreverence took precedence over convention after 36 years of dictatorship.

The story tells about three extraordinary women: Pepi (Carmen Maura), an independent woman who takes revenge on the policeman who raped her; Lucy (Eva Siva), a masochistic woman trapped in a destructive marriage; and Boom (Alaska), a sadistic rocker. Together they form an explosive trio, breaking taboos and strengthening traditional values.

With a mixture of caustic humor, provocation and visual richness, the film depicts Spanish society in search of liberation, both sexual and artistic.

“Generic Erection” Scene: A Subversive Manifesto

Among the film’s memorable sequences, the “generic erection” scenes best embody the director’s provocative spirit. During a fun party, the master of ceremonies, played by Almodovar himself, organizes an absurd and crude competition: measuring the size of the erect penises of the participants. This scene, both provocative and burlesque, perfectly captures the rejection of norms and the quest for freedom that brings the film to life.

At the time, the scene was a direct affront to the morality imposed by the Franco regime, which had recently collapsed. By making visible what was previously taboo, Almodovar turns provocation into a political act. Far from bordering on vulgarity, the moment becomes a declaration of artistic and sexual freedom, marking the beginning of a career where boldness would be king.

When irreverence becomes iconic

Today, Pepi, Lucy, Bom… is considered a cult work, a symbol of reborn Spain. This first essay already announced themes dear to Almodóvar: gender fluidity, the complexity of human relationships, and rebellion against established norms.

Despite its technical and narrative shortcomings, the film has a raw energy that continues to captivate. The “generic erection” scene, once criticized, is now seen as central to the cultural revolution of the 80s, and the then-upstart has already proven that nothing can slow down his creativity or his desire to shake up the status quo. what

And if you’re a fan of Pedro Almodovar, don’t miss his brilliant first English-language feature, The Room Next Door, in theaters.

Peppy, Lucy, Bom and other girls from the neighborhood are now available on MUBI as part of the first film cycle.