Fragola e cioccolato

Any perceptive viewer of this film will recognize quickly what it does and does not represent. We can be easily misled by previews or trailers promising stereotypical characters or cheap thrills, designed only to attract attention. They can be a turn-off as well. In this case I was fortunate enough to get past the marketing and into what turned out to be a truly well-made and fascinating film of extraordinary literary dimensions.

First, it is a profoundly anti-fascist and anti-totalitarian tale. Internal references to famous Cuban writers and musicians frame every scene, while the players entertain us with character sketches involving such mundane things as romantic urges, kitsch as art, and ice cream. The action is fast-paced. One bit resolves itself into another with ease. Musical scoring and editing are appropriate in every way -- always a hallmark of any good film.

But it is great acting and great directing that put this one over the top into Oscar league contention. A true "must-see."

I agree with all the positive things already so well put forth by other reviewers and say that I liked this film a lot. Jorge Perugorria is incredible as the slightly "queenie" gay man. I have seen him in other films where is so different, as a very macho truck driver, for instance. Here he is the art and book lover and appreciator of good food and drink, as well as attractive young men. His "education" of the stern young Cuban Communist (an excellent Vladimir Cruz), a very straight man with intense emotional animosity toward gays, becomes a study in the resolution of human relationships triumphing over social and political obstacles.The comradely embrace of the two men , symbolizing their understanding and acceptance of each other despite superficial differences, was a masterstroke at the end of this fine film.

Strawberry and Chocolate -- Wow this was a wonderful surprise and one of the better movies I've seen of late. Set in 90's Havana, this is a very real, believable story of a young homophobes first friendship with a gay man. I found the movie touching and funny and it reminded so much of many men I knew during my years in El Paso.

Diego, played wonderfully by Cuban actor Jorge Perugorria, is very attractive and yet easily the queeniest guy I've seen on film in years. I really enjoyed how comfortable he seemed in the role paying in between the male and female gender roles. This man has a passion for life that he expresses while being outside the mainstream. He does an excellent job of pulling off the crush in a believable way.

He has a horrible crush on David, a young Communist party member who is lured to Diego's apartment with the promise of some photos of Diego took of him while David was acting. No pictures materialized and the two develop a solid, respectful, platonic relationship.

This movie shows that gay and straight men can be friends. It also reminded me of many good times I had by making friends with people I normally wouldn't associate with. Queens are usually not my type...but then again, its a reminder to judge people by the content of their character rather than superficial appearances.

The film also explores Cuban's acceptance of Communism and the country's desire to remain outside the influence of American commercialism. I was very interested to see where Diego's anti-government rhetoric would get him and if the movie would have a moralistic 'gotcha' message at the end.

In reading about this movie it's pleasing to know that the director is a well-known and respected Cuban director (thus making it a bit easier to trust the movie) and the movie was well received in Cuba. Word is it helped to remove the stigma attached to homosexuality in Cuba.

I heartily recommend this film in a way I so rarely do. Easily in the same class as Priscilla for humanity and believability. This one is absolutely worth whatever it takes to find it.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

Fresa y chocolate

I liked to watch Fresa y Chocolate; this is first Cuban movie I've seen. Fresa y Chocolate is a product of two directors, Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío in 1993. Fresa y Chocolate was nominated in 1995 the best foreign film. During the production of this film the director Alea had cancer and for this reason Tabío had to help him to complete the movie. Later 1996 Alea die. This movie expresses the oppression of Cuban government toward the homosexual and the conflict also the friendship within two different men.

Around 1997 in Cuba,Diego (Jorge Perugorria ) the main character is a cultured gay and David (Vldimir Cruz) a young revolutionary college student. He is a naive and dogmatic. The story begins at a cheap hotel room where David and his sweetheart, Vivian tried to have first intimate experience together but ended up angry at each other, later Vivian marries to a much older man who is in the government office position. David, the wedding day feeling low come to an Ice cream shop near by school and over there David and Diego meet. At the begging, it was Diego's attempt to allure David but soon it change and in spite of their sexuality, these two different men establish a true friendship. Most of story take a place at Diego's apartment where full of things (art work, forbidden books, pictures...) for David's eye. It is a new and different world for David, a dogmatic and in a way an ignorant. Diego tells David about his anguish and problem toward the government. For him being homosexual hinder his work in Cuba and also his well being, too.

However, David learns much about art and literature from Diego and moreover, he learn how to enjoy and savor life. The message of this movie is tolerance. No matter what is one's sexuality people have genuine heart. They have hope, dreams, and frustration that life brings us.

I think this movie is worth to watch because Fresa y Chocolate gave me a chance to give a glance to Cuba, the country that I don't know yet. To me watching a good film lessens a tension of life.

A beautiful movie for the heart. One of the most wonderful stories of friendship ever told.

Jorge Perugorría as Diego is amazing. (I'd well like to see some of his other work.) It is most astonishing to see how his character develops from the limp-wristed cliché gay at the beginning to a fascinating man who gets in conflict with the regime because he is different on every level from what the system requires him to be: he is an independent spirit, a person with a genuine love for the arts, for literature, for music, he is disappointed by communist ideals - and he is also gay, by the way.

Vladimir Cruz is also very fine as the young and naive David who discovers things through his friendship with Diego he'd never ever thought of: like discovering the beauty of things, of life, of poetry and music... And also being committed to another person, even though this person may seem very 'different' from oneself at first glance.

The development of David's and Diego's friendship is fascinating (I wouldn't interpret anything more into it, not even in the final scene). This is also a "coming of age" tale, in a way: by his friendship with Diego, David begins to think, develops a maturity of spirit - and is also, at last, able to develop a loving and mature relationship with a woman. It is very sweet when he tells Diego: "No-one will hurt her. She is with me."

A true gem of a film. I recommend it to everyone.