In a recent interview, the eminent, and eminently unorthodox, Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar divulged that while good-taste-busting American filmmaker John Waters has been an influence on him, in his new film, Volver, he harks back to a decidedly surprising historical body of work: The severe, socially conscious neo-realist work of Italian directors like Roberto Rossellini. Who knew!

In a recent interview, the eminent, and eminently unorthodox, Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar divulged that while good-taste-busting American filmmaker John Waters has been an influence on him, in his new film, Volver, he harks back to a decidedly surprising historical body of work: The severe, socially conscious neo-realist work of Italian directors like Roberto Rossellini. Who knew!