Carmen & Lola

A tale of awakening love outside the norms of a traditional community is the subject of Echevarría's lively first feature. Carmen (Rodríguez) and Lola (Romero) are teenagers in Madrid's Roma community, where women are expected to marry early and bear many children. The brash, busty Carmen has no problems with that, and she is eagerly preparing for her upcoming wedding. Then she comes under the lovestruck gaze of Lola, a rebellious graffiti artist who is beginning to explore her lesbian leanings. At first Carmen is horrified by Lola's advances, then curious, then openly affectionate to a dangerous extent. Director Echevarría steeps her romantic tale in the customs of Roma life, from the bustling open-air market to revival-like church services, all richly flavored with driving, flamenco-style music