this be a very good spanish movie but i be worried that many out there will feel lost because many around the world have no idea what the spanish civil war be all about or when it be fight . be a history teacher and i have a big advantage but could easily see how the film could be confuse until you piece together all the piece . i doubt if this would be a big concern in spain where this film be make and but for other audience they may be a bit confuse until later in the film . the movie begin with 12 year old carol and her mother return to her mother home town . year have pass and you gather that they be come to spain from new york city . despite the strangeness and carol speaks reasonably good spanish and much of the film be about how she adapt . a for why her and her mother be alone and i will spill it now for those who do not pick up on the fact that carol father be fight in the war on the side of the republican ( who eventually lose in this very bloody conflict ) . the movie get exceptional mark for it lovely camera work and music . the rather slow and ramble pace isn not bad provide you be someone who can accept film this way . i have see several other spanish film about this war and this compare pretty well to them not well or worse just a decent slice of life film about those who be leave behind as well a a nice coming of age flick . ps if you do not know which side be which and the republican be mostly socialist and they be back by the soviet union and mexico as well a volunteer from many country ( include the usa ) . the nationalist be lead by franco and be aid by portugal and the fascist state of germany and italy .