CHE to get the big screen treatment at last

The Motorcycle Diaries is an intoxicating movie, chronicling the young Che Guevara's travels around South America in the early 50s. It's a visually stunning road movie where the most important journey takes place within its hero's head - Guevera going from disaffected medical student to rebel with a cause. If it all sounds worthier than a Morning Star editorial meeting, don't be misled: this is serious fun and one of the best movies of 2004.

The charismatic Gael García Bernal stars as Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, a 23-year-old embarking on an 8,000km trip from Argentina to Venezuela with biochemist friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De La Serna). Their mode of transport is less reliable than Virgin Trains: a dilapidated Norton 500 motorbike that's seen better decades. The two men's subsequent journey will open their eyes to social injustice, beautiful women, human kindness, more beautiful women, and the true meaning of the term saddle sore.
Director Walter Salles (Central Station) delivers a mesmerising portrait of 50s South America, both geographically and sociologically. He also produces the most jittery camerawork since The Blair Witch Project to capture the bone-shaking roads and the harsh realities of the duo's travels.

Guevara's trip brought him "closer to this strange human race". The Motorcycle Diaries may not quite manage that, but it provides a tender and memorable insight into one of the 20th century's most iconic figures. You've bought the t-shirt, now see the movie.

for more info go to BBC

Hollywood's love affair with communism continues, yessssssss.

I mean, *bump*.

I gather you have never read this book....it deals more with him as a young man and how travel helped to shape the way he saw his world. It is not a Hollywood production either.....even if you do not agree with his iconic image as a communist revolutionary...the book is well worth reading and has very little to do with the "CHE" people think they know. The film is being hailed in the UK and Latin America as a lucid and epic movie for all walks of life

damn commies

Oh great, what's next? Fluoridated water?

Also I was sort of joking.

Do they cover his raids on pharmacies to get asthma medication?

Er....several Che movies have been in production hell for years.

Don't get your hopes TOO high up....

I saw the previews for this movie this weekend.

The film is done..here are a link to reviews from around the world
REVIEWS

[Edited on Aug 30, 2004 by coldenginelogic]

Calling Ernesto "Che" Guevera a 'hero' is probably one of the biggest misnomers ever. It has nothing to do with communism, yet his insistance that any method, including extensive brutality should be used to achieve his goals.

People wear the famous "Che" t-shirts never knowing that he would just as soon have slit their throats as even spoke to them. He despised America and everything it stood for, he despised those types of institutions of capitalism.

He was Idealistic, Naieve, and sometimes, a freedom fighter who had dreams of winning by any means necissary including brutal violence against any who opposed him.

What a charmer. Let's put him on T-shirts!!!

Maybe that's why Madonna modeled her "American Life" album cover after the tshirt... it now all makes sense...

not to mention he majorly over estimated himself, he died committing everything in starting a revolution in a place that didn't want or need one and without the support of the people he was nothing.
if he was even a fraction of the hero and guerilla tactician he's claimed to be he would have found out if the people would have given him any support before starting what would be his last campaign.

as far as i can tell he's sort of a victim of circumstances, things were so ripe for revolution that someone had to be thrust up as a leader and hero but when he tried to carry things on his own he crashed and burned.

Finally Che is being co-opted by the mainstream without really discussing who he is and why he's such a potent cultural symbol.


That's never been done.

......how the fuck did I let that slip past me!?

I have been spanked.

The movie is based on a great book... not that it shouldn't have just stayed a book.

Yes He took on a mission in (forgive my ignorace) South America, that was fatally (litteraly) flawed.... he was killed (against the wishes of the United States, not unlike the Nhu family), and his hands were severed to cover his identity and burried in a shallow grave.

It's amazing what people DON'T know about him.

Not me, I only drink grain alcohol. My life essence is intact.

che didn't make that many stupid mistakes

Damn! Touche man...

Good call.

Director Walter Salles (Central Station)

if anyone cares, central station is a wonderful film.