Captivating Cuba

Che Part 1, the recent biopic of the legendary Che Guevara, seemed to wow, baffle and frustrate the critics in equal measure. I found myself alternating between all three emotions as I watched it!

Now Part 2 is out, chronicling the failed attempt to start a revolution in Bolivia that eventually led to his capture and execution.

In almost documentary style detail, the process of the revolution is charted from the beginning to the bitter end. Che sneaks into Bolivia on a false passport, heads into the mountains and begins training a small band of guerrillas to try and overthrow the oppressive government. But something is wrong - all the steps that led to glory and success in the Cuban revolution misfire terribly the second time around. It is the story of a slow, painful defeat.

Dozens of little setbacks pile up. The leader of the Bolivian Communist Party refuses to support Che and his guerrillas. The radio breaks down. The local villagers react with fear rather than support for the guerrillas who have come to improve their lives, and repeatedly sell them out to the army. Disease and illness weakens the fighters, discipline breaks down, and many of them desert. Picked off one by one, with ammunition and hope dwindling, the guerrillas are finally cornered, captured and killed.

If you didn't like the first film, you won't like the second - it's as simple as that. The strange, unconventional storytelling won't be everyone's cup of tea, and there is no attempt at revealing Che Guevara's real motivations. But so long as you come into the cinema expecting to learn about the Bolivian revolution rather than about Che himself, you won't be disappointed. I can't remember the last time I saw a film that was so dedicated to the study of a failure - it'll either be fascinating or deathly dull depending on your taste!

It's divided the Captivating Cuba office, and it has also divided the blogosphere as well; some people think it is good, others bad, some just found it...boring.

What did you think?

Peter

posted at: 11:43 | path: /peter | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments