I haven't actually seen said film, but have enough knowledge to say it's based on the life of revolutionist Che Guevara. To any of those who have seen it, do you think it's worth having a look at? I'm glad, to say the least, that this film was generally 'underground', so to speak.
It's certainly worth seeing, both for its travels round South America and for a portrait of an honest young idealist (taking time out from his medical studies) whose life is altered by what he encounters on the journey. It's less convincing i think in capturing the steel that must also have been a part of Che's character- Gabriel Garcia Bernal is almost too wholesome and attractive- but at least the positive representation is something of a necessary corrective to the demonising propaganda.
The film follows the "adventures" of two idealistic young men on their motorcycle journey throughout South America before they go out to make their way in the world. The two have to try to reconcile the natural and manmade beauty of their continent with the widespread lack of basic living standards of the vast majority of the people. The photography is gorgeous and even depicts such awesome sights as Machu Picchu, but what ultimately ensues is an even more beautiful journey into the human soul.
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Posts: 12881 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
This is an excellent film. It is beautifully filmed with excellent performances by both of the main actors, particularly the guy who isnt Che Guevara, (forgotten his name). Works well as a travelogue in a conventional sense and depicts well the problems of South America and the effects caused by outside influences, whatever your feelings on that.
I think it is a really good movie. but it is extremely heavy on the hero worship. This is coming from a young man of hispanic heritage, and an admirer of Mr. Guevara.
watch for the experience of a good movie.
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Posts: 48 | Location: Canada | Registered: 02 January 2006
Great film, looks beautiful, and I thought shied away from the hero worship in order to present Che as a conflicted young man still finding himself. Watching this film will not teach you much about Che and his legacy, but rather helps to show where he came from, and that he was a normal man before he bacame an icon. Gorgeous film.
"If it were beneficial, their father would produce children already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every respect." -Jesus, from the Gospel Of Thomas
Originally posted by Smenkharon: Great film, looks beautiful, and I thought shied away from the hero worship in order to present Che as a conflicted young man still finding himself. Watching this film will not teach you much about Che and his legacy, but rather helps to show where he came from, and that he was a normal man before he bacame an icon. Gorgeous film.
Nice point, but no it didn't; the fact it was made shows hero worship in my opinion. Why should the general public care about what he did before he became a legend? well because the film makers being Guevara fans want to show a broader audience where their hero came from in the popular medium of film. If you want to know about Mr. Guevara I think we can all agree to read a book instead of seeing a movie.
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Posts: 48 | Location: Canada | Registered: 02 January 2006
So, is it fact or opinion? I didn't watch this film to learn anything about Che, and from the marketing I wasn't led to believe that I would. You seem to be saying that any movie that is even made about an iconic personality showing their life before they became an icon, automatically makes it hero worship?
"If it were beneficial, their father would produce children already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every respect." -Jesus, from the Gospel Of Thomas
