Juan Jose Bigas Luna is best known in the U.S. for Jamon,Jamon.....a sexy film which gave Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem international acclaim.Now we have this uniquely restrained film for the director,a lavish costume drama full of passion and intrigue.Featuring many actors from his previous films it centers around the mystery of the real model for Goya's The Naked Maya and the death of the Duchess of Alba.This is more a woman's film as they are the stronger more defined characters... Penelope Cruz is electric and Aitana Sanchez Gijon (Former president of the actors guild)has never been sharper or more powerful.The sparks between the two actresses especially during a Paso Doble,duel of wills jumps off the screen.This film has yet to find American distribution but has played the festival circuit.