Reviews (27)

A sincere film that speaks of the Cuban soul
As, I'm assuming, the only Cuban-American to review this film online, I feel especially proud that my country was able to produce such an eloquent, intelligent and all around outstanding film. Many people unacquainted with our customs couldn't possibly begin to relish the cultural nuances that abound in this film. The slang, the attitudes and all-around mannerisms are unmistakibly Cuban and to me it was as if though I were watching a home movie of some old friends. Rarely, have I related to characters the way I did to David, Diego and Nancy. Jorge Perrugoria's Diego is a triumph. Anyone familiar with what's regarded as the quitessential Cuban homosexual (cultured, well-read, opera and ballet loving) will be able to savor this performance like a fine wine; it is absolute perfection. It is hard to believe that he is, in reality, heterosexual. He is just too, too perfect. The fact that this film captures the essence of Cuba is both a revelation and a devestation. One is made to see the crumbling glory that is Havana and it almost inspires heartbreak. Nevertheless, a terrific film through and through and one that I can't recommend enough!

Four stars for the movie, two for the DVD
STRAWBERRY AND CHOCOLATE [Fresa y Chocolate] (Cuba/Mexico/Spain 1992): Used as an unwitting pawn by his pro-revolutionary colleagues, naive student David (Vladmir Cruz) is encouraged to develop a platonic relationship with flamboyant gay artist Diego (Jorge Perugorria), whose political allegiances have fallen under suspicion. But as their friendship deepens, David is transformed by Diego's resistance to the Cuban regime, even as the forces of oppression begin to close around them.

Though based on a short story ('El Lobo, el Bosque y el Hombre Nuevo') by screenwriter Senel Paz which explores opposite ends of a political ideology, knowledge of recent Cuban history isn't a prerequisite for viewers of STRAWBERRY AND CHOCOLATE, a small gem from co-directors Tomas Gutierrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabio. Far from a mere political tract, this is a joyous celebration of life and non-conformity, distinguished by Perugorria's extraordinary performance as the camp but dignified Diego, who rejects his friend's unquestioning loyalty to the Cuban political system that is stifling their beloved homeland. Their budding relationship is complicated by Diego's unrequited love for David, depicted here with remarkable honesty and compassion, particularly for a mainstream film. But it's their political differences which ultimately unite the two characters, even as Diego is forced to reap the whirlwind of his public defiance. Much of the narrative unfolds within Diego's crumbling apartment building, where David enjoys a liaison with flaky neighbor Nancy (Mirta Ibarra), who introduces the inexperienced student to the joys of sexual liberation! It isn't a terribly cinematic film, but production values are solid, and the characters are so vivid, and played with such integrity, it hardly matters; this is a movie in which ideas take precedence over action, and the emotional payoff is quite powerful indeed. Beautiful music score by Jose Maria Vitier, too.

Now the bad news: Buena Vista's DVD version is incomplete, missing approximately six minutes of footage. Absent material includes a brief conversation about racism during David's first visit to Diego's apartment, and a sad little sequence in which the two characters pretend not to notice each other after meeting by accident in a bookstore. These revisions were perpetrated before the film's North American theatrical release by Buena Vista's 'art-house' subsidiary Miramax, a company which is notorious for the cavalier manner in which it treats its foreign acquisitions (their version of THE HORSEMAN ON THE ROOF is similarly incomplete). The alterations imposed on STRAWBERRY AND CHOCOLATE seem completely arbitrary, and demonstrate little more than contempt for American audiences. For the record, the UK video version runs 105m 51s at 25fps in the PAL format, which corresponds to 110m 15s at the original 24fps.

There are no extras, not even a trailer (there's a puff-piece which trumpets Miramax's involvement in a 'golden age' of cinema, which is ironic given the way they treat their movies). So, four stars for the movie, two for the DVD, and only because the sound and picture quality are so good, despite a worrying amount of grain in the film's opening sequence. The running time quoted below doesn't include the Miramax/Robert Redford logos which open the US DVD print and weren't part of the original film.

103m 53s
1.85:1 / Anamorphically enhanced
Dolby Surround 2.0
Ultra Stereo [theatrical]
Spanish soundtrack
Optional English subtitles
Region 1

Where's the DVD???
I was captivated by this charming little film many years back, what with its setting, performances, humour, and all the little nuances that foreign films have mastered over their Hollywood big-buck counterparts.

My only complaint is why there hasn't been a DVD release of this movie just yet! With such vastly overrated mediocrities such as "Like Water For Chocolate" or "Babette's Feast" now available, it should only be a matter of time.

A phenomenally enjoyable film, whatever your personal preference.

Not a Bad Berry....
It's a good movie, but not what I expected. From the amount of foreign films I've seen, there have been some outstanding ones like Central Station, City Of Lost Children, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Like Water for Chocolate and Amelie. I guess I hold all foreign (subtitled) films to this high standard. The actor who played Diego, Jorge Perrugoria was wonderful though. He's one of those few actors that uses his eyes to convey so much internal action. Over all, I'm not saying the film was bad, but it wasn't one I'd watch again and again. First film from Cuba nominated for an Oscar.. *** stars

Wonderful film that transcends stereotypes
The Cuban film, "Fresa y Chocolate," is the story of friendship between a young student (a loyal member of the Communist Party), and a gay political activist, who is critical of the government's censorship. It is an amazing film for a number of reasons. First, it presents a balanced and somewhat critical view of the Cuban political system. This is surprising since it was co-produced by ICAIC, essentially the official Cuban film production company. Second, though the main characters start out as stereotypes, they develop into very real people who go beyond what the audience would expect.

Considered by many to have been a major catalyst in improving the treatment of gays in Cuba; this film presents a rich and interesting view of Cuban society. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Men and women in Cuba
Director Tomas Gutierrez Alea, of "Guantanamera" and "Strawberry and Choclate" fame, made this movie before the aforementioned better known movies. Short and sweet at 70 minutes you might think other directors might take a cue from this one to get their point across. How many movies have you seen that should have ended but drag on for another 30 minutes? Call it cinema penance I guess. Anyway, this movie is a movie within a movie. The story takes place around the docks of Havana and surrounding area. It seems a filmaker is making a movie about machismo and feels the docks are the perfect place to get his material. The first few frames are grainy, documentary style footage of a rally and immediately one thinks , "oh, oh, it's a bang 'em over the head with propaganda movie." Then you'll be pleasantly surprised to see that the filmmakers are getting footage for their project, it's time to relax. Oscar is a filmaker who is at odds with one of the film honchos over how to make their movie, it seems the script is being worked on as they shoot, a fly by your pants opertion which makes for lively film dialogue. In the process of exposing machismo Oscar meets a very pretty, liberated woman dock worker named Lina, as played by the pretty Mirta Ibarra, that he takes a liking to. There are some complications to be resolved which basically make the movie. The actress who will be playing Lina, Oscar's love interest, is his wife who he introduces as "the actress who will be playing you", not introducing her as his wife. Remember the story is about machismo in Cuban society and Oscar is trying to illustrate that point, so there is alot of talk of what is fair for the goose is fair for the gander, que si, que no. Also Oscar does not have a complete script so the movie becomes the script for the film he is making. Conflicts and some solutions result, well, he gets his script finished but not has he envisioned it. The acting is pretty good, the music is very nice, but there is not enough of it for those of us that love musica Cubana. There is a lovely Basque song in one part that is exquiste, I wish there were more. The movie examines the roles of men and women in Cuba which is not unlike other Latin American countries. Men want to hold on to yesteryear in these times of equality for the sexes and there is where the conflict lies. The best part of the movie is that it was short and sweet, a pseudo-documentary within a film that makes you laugh at it's contradictions. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

poor but beautiful Cuba!
I have to say that I haven't been to Cuba but I will definetely visit one day. By watching this movie you'll know how primitive, how original, how poor and also how beautiful, how friendly, how much the Cuban people cherish their land, their lives. This is one of my favorite movies so far and you should watch it and own it as well.:)

Gave a Great Laugh to A Cuban Family
When our family sat down to watch Guantanamera we all new the Cuban song from the beggining. Watching this was like going back to Cuba when we traveled across the land. Switching Cars people selling banannas, No road signs, just plain Cuba. The actors in the movie did a great job portraying Cubans. Because you may not believe that's the way real Cubans act, unless your Cuban, but it's what we are really like.

I rated this movie a Four Star because the movie has great laughs for "Cubanos y Gringos". All the irony with cars meeting, people dieing, well I don't want to ruine it for you. But Watch the Movie whether you buy or rent. You'll enjoy it!

'Fresa y Chocolate' better, but watch them both
Filmmakers Tomás Gutiérrez & Juan Carlos Tabio made 'Guantanamera' almost back-to-back with 'Fresa y Chocolate' (Strawberry and Chocolate), and that's how I recommend you view them - rent/buy them as a pair and watch them chronologically, 'Fresa' first.

First, there's the thrill of seeing Mirtha Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría in repeating appearanences, portraying vastly different characters. Of special note is Perugorría's demonstrated range and acting ability. I spent the first half-hour of Guantanamera thinking "That just can't be the same guy."

It was. Amazing stuff.

Also, the film itself presents a take on Cuban life that, while patently absurd to any American, no doubt rings all too true with anyone who has experienced life under Fidel's heavy thumb. Taken together, these two films represent 3 hours of what movies are all about: for me, they were enjoyable and educational; for the filmmakers, they scored a direct hit on the target of their disdain and sarcasm.

Left me laughing and crying all at the same time!!!
As much as I loved "Fresa Y Chocolate" (Strawberry & Chocolate), I love this one even more. The script is superior, and we have the opportunity to meet a wider range of characters, with equally brilliant casting and filming.

If you have seen "Fresa Y Chocolate", then you already love Mirtha Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría. If not, then you will after having seen this film.

If Cheech & Chong, the Marx Brothers & Woody Allen had all collaborated, they couldn't have come up with a film more irreverent, more bitingly satirical, or more delicious with both romance and irony.

And speaking of irony, it seems both impossible that such a film could have come from Cuba in the 1990's, and yet equally impossible for it to have come from any other place. For we have been told, on the one hand, that such burlesque of the Cuban government is not tolerated. Yet, it has always seemed to me that the greatest art arises from the greatest suffering. And Cuba is one of the world's greatest examples of this paradox of human nature. For few nations have suffered as much as the people of Cuba have suffered through out her entire history. And yet, from that island emerges the most beautiful music on earth, and now this!!!

Do yourself a big favor: Don't miss this film!!!

A refreshing Cuban road movie not lacking a sense of irony
The last movie that Cuban director, Tomás Gutiérrez managed to put together alongside his partner, Juan Carlos Tabio, before his death, Guantanamera pretty much can be considered a road movie, but with a very peculiar twist. Irony, an exquisite sense of the most Cuban humor and an important dose of reality can be found in this production, that came only one year after their super-successful "Strawberry and Chocolate," with repeating stars, Mirta Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría, who proved how versatile of an actor he could be: playing a gay character on the first one and a straight macho man on this one. Check it out. You will find it delightful and refreshing. I just give it four stars because it does fall short compared to S&C, its predecessor. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bitter Truths
This film exemplifies what Christian hypocrites did to decimate the African world-view. My favorite scenes involved storytelling, done in the traditional African manner, by different slaves. Christianity was a great tool of oppression and domination, and this film shows it.

A sobering flick
The demand for sugar brought the demand for labor and the demand for control over the labor. The Last Supper was an excellent movie in the way opening one's eyes to the use of Christianity as a means of control. Throughout the movie the Count, the owner of a Spanish plantation, is trying to use Christianity through the Padre and through guilt to cause the slaves to work better for him. He plays the neutral role as he allows Don Manuel, the overseer, to keep the slaves working and allows the father to teach them about reaching paradise if they follow their masters here on this earth. Eventually the slaves revolt after he lets 12 of them eat at his table in a recreation of the last supper. He realizes that he gave them too much. He does not want another revolt and graphically shows what will happen to those who go against his authority. Those who do not appreciate how much he has done for them. However, one of the twelve who sat at the table runs free, hope is still alive.

"Time before democracy", so to speak.
I know the title of this comment may be questionable. The movie depicts the tension between the powerful, wishing to reach a narcisistic climax (be like Christ), and the abused wishing to reach freedom. The result, bizarre and painful, is presented as a fable for humankind. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Class A
I had the opportunity to see this movie about 10 years ago, and ever since I've been trying to find a copy to purchase it, I have been unsuccessful though, A great film, class A acting and unforgettable story, based on the book of Garcia marquez. A masterpiece!

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Historia de amor de García Márquez
Esta película recrea una secuencia de la novela "El amor en los tiempos del cólera" de Gabriel García Márquez. Corresponde a una serie denominada "Los amores difíciles" y es un homenaje al género literario: Cartas de amor. La historia alude a un amor construido a través de un tercero, quien representa al amanuense de la misma manera que el famoso Cyrano de Bergerac respecto de Rossana. La calidad fotográfica del cine cubano ennoblece la historia, al igual que la calidad actoral de los intérpretes. Tres elementos para seguir en cualquier orden: 1o) Ver las películas de Tomás Guriérrez Alea 2o) Leer "El amor en los tiempos del cólera". 3o) Recuperar en la vida cotidiana, la belleza de las cartas de amor. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

poor but beautiful Cuba!
I have to say that I haven't been to Cuba but I will definetely visit one day. By watching this movie you'll know how primitive, how original, how poor and also how beautiful, how friendly, how much the Cuban people cherish their land, their lives. This is one of my favorite movies so far and you should watch it and own it as well.:)

Gave a Great Laugh to A Cuban Family
When our family sat down to watch Guantanamera we all new the Cuban song from the beggining. Watching this was like going back to Cuba when we traveled across the land. Switching Cars people selling banannas, No road signs, just plain Cuba. The actors in the movie did a great job portraying Cubans. Because you may not believe that's the way real Cubans act, unless your Cuban, but it's what we are really like.

I rated this movie a Four Star because the movie has great laughs for "Cubanos y Gringos". All the irony with cars meeting, people dieing, well I don't want to ruine it for you. But Watch the Movie whether you buy or rent. You'll enjoy it!

'Fresa y Chocolate' better, but watch them both
Filmmakers Tomás Gutiérrez & Juan Carlos Tabio made 'Guantanamera' almost back-to-back with 'Fresa y Chocolate' (Strawberry and Chocolate), and that's how I recommend you view them - rent/buy them as a pair and watch them chronologically, 'Fresa' first.

First, there's the thrill of seeing Mirtha Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría in repeating appearanences, portraying vastly different characters. Of special note is Perugorría's demonstrated range and acting ability. I spent the first half-hour of Guantanamera thinking "That just can't be the same guy."

It was. Amazing stuff.

Also, the film itself presents a take on Cuban life that, while patently absurd to any American, no doubt rings all too true with anyone who has experienced life under Fidel's heavy thumb. Taken together, these two films represent 3 hours of what movies are all about: for me, they were enjoyable and educational; for the filmmakers, they scored a direct hit on the target of their disdain and sarcasm.

Left me laughing and crying all at the same time!!!
As much as I loved "Fresa Y Chocolate" (Strawberry & Chocolate), I love this one even more. The script is superior, and we have the opportunity to meet a wider range of characters, with equally brilliant casting and filming.

If you have seen "Fresa Y Chocolate", then you already love Mirtha Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría. If not, then you will after having seen this film.

If Cheech & Chong, the Marx Brothers & Woody Allen had all collaborated, they couldn't have come up with a film more irreverent, more bitingly satirical, or more delicious with both romance and irony.

And speaking of irony, it seems both impossible that such a film could have come from Cuba in the 1990's, and yet equally impossible for it to have come from any other place. For we have been told, on the one hand, that such burlesque of the Cuban government is not tolerated. Yet, it has always seemed to me that the greatest art arises from the greatest suffering. And Cuba is one of the world's greatest examples of this paradox of human nature. For few nations have suffered as much as the people of Cuba have suffered through out her entire history. And yet, from that island emerges the most beautiful music on earth, and now this!!!

Do yourself a big favor: Don't miss this film!!!

A refreshing Cuban road movie not lacking a sense of irony
The last movie that Cuban director, Tomás Gutiérrez managed to put together alongside his partner, Juan Carlos Tabio, before his death, Guantanamera pretty much can be considered a road movie, but with a very peculiar twist. Irony, an exquisite sense of the most Cuban humor and an important dose of reality can be found in this production, that came only one year after their super-successful "Strawberry and Chocolate," with repeating stars, Mirta Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría, who proved how versatile of an actor he could be: playing a gay character on the first one and a straight macho man on this one. Check it out. You will find it delightful and refreshing. I just give it four stars because it does fall short compared to S&C, its predecessor. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Dark, yet beautiful
I ordered this film for my classroom, hoping to introduce my students to some of the realities of Latin American life--los desaparecidos, the death squads, etc. After viewing it, I decided not to use it for this purpose. In the beginning of the movie, the shooting (of the movie) is very dark and focuses a great deal on the sisterly (in the broadest sense of the word--they squabble like sisters) relationship between the 3 nuns who are the protagonists. I decided my students would not "hang in there" with the first part of the movie. I also think that they lack the background to understand the references to official violence and the nuances in the movie.

The last part of the movie (of course, I cannot give it away--please see it for yourself) was well worth watching the first part. The ending was both well-developed and inspiriring. I recommend it to anyone who cares about human rights and the strength of the human spirit. The ending is deeply spiritual and authentically Christian.

For my students, I found the The Official Story was a better introduction to this subject. The filming is lighter and more colorful, and the movie was easier to follow and explains more.

Awesome thriller depicting the plight of so many countries
Although the film does not give a specific country or city, it could be the scene of what is happening in so many places today. A thriller from beginning to end, with plot twists and showing human nature at its best and worst--I found the film to be filmed in a delicate manner showing the horrors of militarism and the strength of the human spirit. Well acted and gripping.

Knocks At My Door (Golpes a mi puerta) is excellent.
Knocks At My Door (Golpes a mi puerta) is based on Juan Carlos Gené's play by the same title. I've used this in my Hispanic film adaptation class with great success. Students were engaged with the action, cared about the characters, and were frustrated with the ending.

If you've seen and liked the Argentine movie, Camila, you will enjoy this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mararia has it all...!
This movie has every element of a classic telenovela, the lovely young maiden, the villain, witchcraft, romantic triangles, lust, lost love, betrayal, illegitimate children, tragedy, alcoholism, madness, despair, murder and more! However, Mararia is saved from being just another potboiler by a well crafted plot and a set of strong characters. Mararia doesn't come off as a soap opera -- it's more like a tragic gothic novel along the of "Tess of the D'Ubervilles" or "Jude the Obscure."

The story opens as the handsome, young doctor, Fermin, arrives on the beautiful but eerie island of Lanzarote. In some ways the island is a paradise. In other ways, as Fermin points out during his first tour of the volcanic lava fields, it can also appear to be hell.

One morning, as Fermin stands on the roof of his home he spies a lovely young girl hurrying into the kitchen. He races down the stairs and encounters the gorgeous Mararia, who happens to be his housekeeper's ward. Fermin is a fairly straitlaced, conventional sort with a high opinion of himself. He downplays his feelings until he can get a sense of Mararia's worthiness of his attentions.

After Fermin stitches up the knife wounds in his first patient, a rejected suitor of Mararia, she confides to him that she has no interest in the local boys. She is saving herself for a man who will be able to take her away "to the big island" -- or perhaps even farther.

For a time, it looks as though the romance between Fermin and Mararia is inevitable. But a triangle develops when a dashing British geologist arrives on the island and becomes Fermin's house guest and romantic rival.

The story is fleshed out with a wonderful array of supporting characters. Fermin's housekeeper (and Mararia's guardian) happens to be a skilled practitioner of witchcraft, voodoo, and the healing arts. She is a pleasant enough woman, utterly devoted to her surrogate daughter. There also is the island's "town drunk" with whom the other characters, who should know better, always entrust some seemingly small yet pivotal duty.

Mararia is a dark, gripping story that should hold the viewers attention.

Bizarre Plot... but with a few too many Zzzzz's
Beautiful, mysterious scenery, gorgeous cinematography, great acting... only one thing missing... a truly good reason on why this plot deserved almost two hours of my time. The fact that "Mararia" looked pretty couldn't hide the fact that the pacing was incredibly sluggish, so much in fact that ALL THREE of the people I was watching this film with fell asleep at various points of the movie. This could be attributed to sleepiness, or the fact that the movie has that affect on people. Despite the fact that you empathize with the characters, the plot twists keep plunging deeper and deeper into the bizarre and disturbing. The finale seems out of the blue, without a real lead-up, or genuine character basis, taking away from all notions of empathy we had for anyone onscreen.

If you happen to like this kind of strange, surreal psychological mayhem, you might actually enjoy this movie, if it doesn't make you want to take a nap through most of it first.

Mararía
This is the rendition in film of Rafael Arozarena's novel "Mararía". Filmed in the island of Lanzarote(Canary Islands,Spain),where the novel takes place, the movie has an amazing photographic work that earned it, deservedly, the Spanish equivalent of an Oscar. The views of the strange landscape of this island are simply spectacular and are well integrated into the film and complement the story in a meaningfull way. It is worth seeing just for that, although the historical reconstruction, the music, and the acting are also worth noting. The soundtrack, created by a well known musician from the Islands, incorporates musical forms from the folkloric tradition of the islands with more modern forms. My recommendation for Non-Spanish speakers: get the subtitled version. ... Read more

Description

A beautiful woman and her long lost lover reunite for one last caper.In steamy, cosmopolitan Panama City, tough-guy smuggler Maqroll stumbles across Ilona, his long lost love and cohort.They haven't seen each other for years.They begin a new scheme, in search of impossible wealth. ... Read more