Loosely based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet , the story follows the Montoyas and Tarantos , and their young sons in love and pertaining to two different as well as deep-rooted opposing families , as they fight for old confrontations . Here is the color and excitement of Spain...alive with the frenzy of the flamenco and the fires of an unlucky love ! . A boy and a girl from two rival Gypsy families fall in love . As while Ana Montoya (Esperanza Campuzano , daughter of known pianist Felipe Campuzano) and Manuel Taranto (Juan Paredes) fight for love , their parents and brothers carry out a strong confrontation . Quintaessential Spanish film features brilliant and frenetic choreography and embellished thanks to its chromatic aesthetic and a high-caliber Flamenco score by guitarist Paco De Lucia , being based on the play "Historia De Los Tarantos" by Alfredo Mañas , transposition of Shakespeare's classic "Romeo and Juliet" . A nice recounting of the eighties' gypsy life , being lovely , passionate and very languid in its style with a superb Flamenco soundtrack and unique photography style . It includes traditions , habits and dancing of this gypsy ethnic and giving a charming sight-point , without falling in the well-worn and trite , providing an engaging vision of this race . The dazzling and devastating dancing set new standards for this splendid musical film in this wildly successful transition of the sixties' classic : ¨Los Tarantos¨ that had international impact , nominated Oscar Best Foreign Language in Film Academy Awards , USA 1964 , directed by Francisco Rovira Veleta with Sara Lezana , Daniel Martin and Carmen Amaya . In this yarn of passion and vendetta stands out the unchallenged highlights as the gypsy people facing off by dancing at the beginning and the thrilling conclusion , including killings in Peckinpah style . The tragic ending will leave few eyes dry , such emotive moments in musicals are rare indeed . Adding wonderful horses from Real Escuela Andaluza De Arte Ecuestre de Jerez , and attractive white houses as well as marvelous beaches , sea and sand . As the star-crossed lovers , Paredes-Campuzano , as young couple share love despite prohibitive conflict between their families , they do touching , but average acting , in this Andalucia update of ¨Romeo and Juliet¨, the veteran actors as Sancho Gracia , José Sancho , Mercedes San Prieto , Queta Claver give much better interpretation . Spectacular dances choreographed by Cristina Hoyos , she got various weeks into rehearsal and showing efficiently the gritty real gypsy style dancing . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Teo Escamilla , also producer , it has a painstaking perfectionism , especially on exteriors and the gypsy dancing . Being shot on location in Jerez De La Frontera , Vejer De La Frontera , Córdoba , Torre Del Loro , Isla Cristina , Matalascañas , among others . This gypsy retelling of Shakespeare's classic play was well directed by Vicente Escrivá . It has Goya Awards 1990 as won Goya Best Sound and Best Original Score : Paco de Lucía , and Nominated Goya Best Film , Best Cinematography , Best Costume Design , Best Editing and Best Makeup and Hairstyles . Director Escriva succeeds in casting old figures along with novice cast in the leads . Vicente was a writer , producer and director , known for successful films throughout a long career with hits as Balarrasa (1951) , Sor Intrépida (1952) , Un Traje Blanco (1956) , Montoyas and Tarantos (1989) , 2 films starred by Rafael : El Angel , El Golfo , and 3 starred by Maria Rosario Omaggio : Visanteta Estáte Quieta , El Virgo De Visanteta and La Lozana Andaluza . He also made some TV series such as : Lleno Por Favor , Manos a La Obra , Farmacia De Guardia , and Réquiem En Granada at his best . Rating : 7/10 ,good and kudos to cinematographer Teo Escamilla and composer Paco De Lucia . Prepare to be both moved and exhilarated .