From one of Spain’s most iconic filmmakers comes The Last Dream, a mix of short stories, diary entries and reflections on writing, filmmaking and the many passions that drive the creative mind of Pedro Almodóvar.

The stories range from early sketches for his films, diary entries and reimaginings of everything from the Bible to Sleeping Beauty, all told with the depth and delights that make his films so memorable. In translating from Spanish, Frank Wynne has retained much of the original depth of flavour (and even Spanish punctuation!) and deftly preserved Almodóvar’s unique voice.

Many of the stories centre on Catholicism – its potential for redemption (‘The Mirror Ceremony’) and abuse of power (‘The Visit’, an early sketch for 2004’s Bad Education). Many of the other stories feature Almodóvar’s classically complex female protagonists, from the fictional pornstar Patty Diphusa to the real Joanna of Castile, the iconic Chavela Vargas, and Almodóvar’s own mother. The titular story, ‘The Last Dream’, recounts the day after his mother’s death, and is one of several pieces that Almodóvar has plucked from his archive and barely edited. Other pieces, like the fantastical ‘The Life and Death of Miguel’, have undergone significant transformation, and act as a reflection of the young artist’s creative concepts through the pen of a seasoned storyteller.

Whether you’re an Almodóvar enthusiast or have never seen a single one of his films, there’s plenty to enjoy, with a wealth of introspective realism, historical, fantastical and remarkable writing that’ll have you laughing and weeping in equal measure. In part, these stories feel like a fantasy – what would the celebrated filmmaker do if he could control every element of filmmaking? The result is perfect casting and performances, lavish sets and costuming, and even Almodóvar’s signature soundtracks, featuring stirring strings and the smoky voice of Chavela Vargas at her best.