¡Ay, Carmela! *** (1990, Carmen Maura, Andrés Pajares, Gabino Diego) – Classic Movie Review 9837

Director Carlos Saura’s 1990 Spanish film ¡Ay, Carmela! stars Carmen Maura, who gives a vibrant performance as fiery, patriotic Republican Carmela, who, with her troubadour husband Paulino (Andrés Pajares) and a mute, entertain the Republican troops in the Spanish Civil War.

They are captured when they drive accidentally behind Nationalist lines, but then are freed by a theatre-loving Italian Fascist commander to put on a Fascist show spoofing the Republic.

Saura’s film is a handsomely shot Spanish adventure for intellectuals, with a fully fleshed and realised period feel, and the acting is detailed and convincing. But the story (based on a play by José Sanchis Sinisterra) is too thin for such a major theme, and it only occasionally fully entertains or reaches the heart. However, it still involves and impresses, and Carmen Maura excites.

Also in the cast are Andrés Pajares, Gabino Diego, Maurizio De Razza [Armando De Razza], José Sancho, Mario De Candia, Miguel Angel Rellán, Edward Zentara and Rafael Díaz.

The renowned Spanish film director Carlos Saura died of respiratory failure at home on 10 February 2023, at the age of 91. Saura won many awards including: Silver Bear in the Berlin Festival for The Hunt in 1965, and for Peppermint Frappé in 1967. Special Jury Awards in Cannes for Cousin Angelica  in 1973, and for Cría Cuervos in 1975. Also, the film Mama Turns 100 was Oscar nominated in 1979 as the best foreign film.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9837

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