Arde Madrid

The show is ostensibly about Franco's Spain, and the beautiful and somewhat debauched Ava Gardner. The year is 1955, and the government suspects the Hollywood femme fatale of conspiring with the communists, so they decide to infiltrate her inner circle by way of a fabricated couple who will assume the role of cleaning woman and chauffeur respectively. The camera work is beautiful, the acting is on point, and the flamenco music is splendid. It is a pity that the script ultimately shies away from digging deeper into a real criticism of fascist Spain. An honorable mention goes to the long-suffering argentine General Perón, who makes for a pleasing riposte to Ava's antics.