It's the end of August and slowly but surely, Oscar season is heating up. Right now, a lot of countries are selecting the movie that will represent them for the Oscar of foreign language film. 16 countries - and counting - have done this so far. Flashback to 1993, when Cuba chose its most successful movie ever...
In an ice salon, somewhere in Cuba, two men meet. One is David, a student in political science, in favour of the Cuban revolution, who has just been dumped. The other is a flamboyant gay photographer, Diego, who opposes the revolution and is clearly smitten with the student. From the beginning, it is clear that these two men are each others' opposites and not just on a political level.
The movie follows the budding of the unlikely close friendship between the two men through a series of conversations. Diego can not help but fall with the gorgeous student and David gradually comes to a better understanding of Diego's political choice. Enter Diego's lovely neighbour Nancy and things become even more complicated.
Fresa Y Chocolate is Cuba's most popular movie ever, which is kind of a surprise, given its political stance. Some critics state though that director's Alea's political views in this movie could have been even more outspoken. And then there is the notion of a homosexual relationship, which is still a big taboo in Cuba. Nevertheless, the movie was even nominated for the Oscar for foreign language movie. It didn't win the Oscar though, losing to Russia's Burnt by the Sun by Nikita Mikhalkov.
Without any doubt, Fresa Y Chocolate is one of the most charming movies I have ever seen, thanks mainly to the two actors who play the film's main protagonists. Vladimir Cruz oozes innocence as the naive student, while Jorge Perugorrá is intense - to say the least - as the charming photographer. Even today - 26 years later - Diego is still my favourite movie character ever.
The opposition between the two men is nicely reflected in the contrast between the interior and exterior scenes. The interior - Diego's apartment - stands for a safe haven from political opposition. This is where the photographer listens to classical music and sips whisky, trying to impress and seduce the student. The exterior is where neighbours observe each other, ready to go to the police whenever they see something suspicious and where one shies away from greeting his gay friend. In that respect, the movie reminds us of that Italian classic, Una giornata particolare, where one of the main characters is also a homosexual and is seen as a paria.
Have a look at this clip. For the women out there, aren't you just smitten with Diego?
Score: 3,5/4
Director: Tomás Gutiérrez Alea/Juan Carlos Tabío
Duration: 108 minutes
Actors: Vladimir Cruz, Jorge Perugorrá, Mirtha Ibarra
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