OH, CARMELA! / ¡AY, CARMELA! / АЙ, КАРМЕЛА!

Leonid Nefedovich
Sep 24
2 min read

1990 / 102' / feature / Spain

Paulino and Carmela are husband-and-wife troubadours touring the countryside during the Spanish Civil War. They are Republicans, and with their mute assistant Gustavete they journey into rebel territory by mistake. They are arrested, fear a firing squad, and receive a reprieve from an Italian Fascist commander who loves the theatre. He arranges a performance for his troops, bargaining with Paulino to stage a burlesque of the republic in exchange for the actors' freedom. Will the fiery and patriotic Carmela consent?

Screenings schedule:

September 30, 2025 at 12:45 p.m. at the Zhovten Cinema, Kinoman Hall

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DIRECTOR - CARLOS SAURA

Biography

Carlos Saura (1932-2023) is one of Spain’s most renown filmmakers, with Buñuel and Almodovar, was born in Huesca, Aragón, where the music Jota has its origins. At the age of 23 Saura directed his first documentary, and since then has never stop directing films, documentaries, theater, writing novels or photo exhibitions. Director of more than 50 films, he has won all possible awards in Cannes (except the Palm d’Or), in Berlin, (including the Golden Bear) and has been 3 times nominated for the Oscar awards among other innumerable awards.

His series of musical films are regarded as one of the most important creative achievements in recent would cinema.

Carlos Saura is Comendateur of the Order of Arts and Letters of France, Grand Oficial of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Order of Isabel the Catholic in Spain, EFA award for Film Contribution and holds several Honoris Causa from universities all over the world.

Selected filmography