¡Ay, Carmela! (1990)

Director:

Carlos Saura

Writers:

Rafael Azcona (writer)
José Sanchís Sinisterra (play)

Release Date:

8 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

Paulino and Carmela are husband and wife, troubadours touring the countryside during the Spanish Civil War...

Plot Keywords:

Spanish Civil War | Female Nudity | Tragicomedy | Spain | Lieutenant

Awards:

22 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Carmen Maura	...	Carmela
Andrés Pajares	...	Paulino
Gabino Diego	...	Gustavete
Maurizio De Razza	...	Lt. Ripamonte
José Sancho	...	Capitán
Mario De Candia	...	Bruno
Miguel Rellán	...	Teniente interrogador
Edward Zentara	...	Polish Officer
Rafael Díaz	...	Centinela
Chema Mazo	...	Alcalde
Antonio Fuentes	...	Alferez artillero
Mario Martín	...	Cacique
Emilio del Valle	...	Cabo Cardoso
Silvia Casanova	...	Mujer presa
Alfonso Guirao	...	Campesino

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Spain | Italy

Language:

Spanish | Polish | Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Iceland:L | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain

Company:

Ellepi Films

Movie Connections:

Referenced in La fiesta (2003)

Soundtrack:

Mi jaca

Ay is right.

Ay! Carmela is another one of a seemingly endless amount of films about the Entertainer From The Home Country Who is Forced To Perform For The Enemy. I mean, how many do we have now? (Mephisto, The Pianist, Life Is Beautiful, The Acoomapanist, etc etc etc). In this case, we have a traveling troupe of 3 performers, a spitfire dancer, a tenor, and of course, a mute instrumentalist. They make a living performing for the government rebels of the Spanish civil war. One night, they are captured, and, in a decision between life and death, agree to a show for the government troops and some 'special guests', some Polish prisoners that probably will die the day after. Needless to say, Carmela, the dancer in the troupe, wonders if this is all too much, and needs to make some personal decisions.

This is a pretty good story, the historical aspect of it is interesting, thereby making it a pleasant sit through. It's not excellent though, the reason for that is the somewhat lack of originality of the concept (at least the Pianist had some heart to get away with it!!) and the somewhat lack of character development, thereby making us care less of what happens.

Still, it's not a bad movie. Just don't go in thinking you'll really learn anything though.