1. How does Ay, Carmela! present the Republican side of the war?
   What are the signs that the Republic is facing defeat?
2. What political values and principles are apparent in the performance presented before the Republican soldiers?
   How does Carmela, the actor, present herself as a woman on the stage?
3. From the "back story" of the three characters (Carmela, Paulino, Gustavete)--that is, from what we learn about their lives prior to the beginning of the movie--why would each of them become a supporter of the Republic?
4. How does the film portray the Nationalist side?
   How does the movie explain the killings on the Nationalist side?
5. Why did Mussolini's fascists support Franco?
   What political values does the Italian lieutenant express?
6. Why would Polish volunteers support the Spanish Republic in 1938?
   Who, besides Franco, are they fighting?
   Why does Carmela idealize the volunteers of the International Brigades?
7. The Italian officer takes responsibility for the content of the stage performance in the Teatro Goya. What does that program reveal about fascist political views?
   What is the point of "The Republic Goes to the Doctor"?
   Why does Carmela object to performing it?
8. Outside her stage roles, what motivates Carmela's behavior? Why does she risk her life?
   How does Carmela's death compare to those of the Polish Jews in the World War II movie Schindler's List?

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