Among famous revolutionaries, besides Mao
Zedong (毛泽东),
perhaps Ernesto
"Che" Guevara is the most recognizable historic
figure as well as a pop
culture icon. Around the world, many wear Che's image
as a fashion statement without knowing Che's story, while
many others are inspired by Che's bigger than
life legacy
and hold him dearly in their hearts as a hero.
Che was an Argentine physician who became involved in
political movements fighting capitalism, neocolonialism,
and imperialism which he believed to be the root of the
poverty in Latin America. At the age of 27, Che
met Fidel
Castro in Mexico in 1954 and jointed a group
called "26th
of July Movement." The goal of the organization is to
overthrow Cuba's Fulgencio
Batista government by a guerrilla force.
On 26 November 1956, Che sailed to Cuba with Fidel Castro
and other rebels. Eventually, he rose to a revolutionary
hero in Cuban
Revolution.
After the victory of Cuba Revolution in 1959, Che was
proclaimed a "Cuban citizen by birth" and served as
Industry Minister and the president of Cuban National
Bank. He traveled around the world to as the spokesperson
of socialist Cuba.
In 1965, Che suddenly disappeared from public eye without
a trace. Fidel Castro revealed a letter from Che that
declared his intention to leave the power and fame in
Cuba and to help the fight in other country's
revolution. Later, Che reemerged in Bolivia as a leader
of an underground guerrilla group consists of Cuba
comrades and Bolivian recruits. Che was captured and
executed on 9 October 1967.
Director Steven
Soderbergh's ambitious effort to bring Che's story to
an epic on the big screen results in not only one, but
two feature films: "Che: Part
One" (USA 2008, 129 min.) tells Che's story
during the Cuban Revolution;
and "Che: Part
Two" (USA 2008, 128 min.) focuses on Che's
guerrilla campaign in Bolivia.
Che: Part One
"Che:
Part One" (USA 2008, 129 min.) (also
called "The
Argentine," although I did not see this tile in
the film) begins with the meeting where Che meets
Castro for the first time in Mexico and chronicles
the Cuba Revolution led by Castro and Che. Jumping
in and out of their battles in Cuban's countryside,
the film reenacts Che's visit to
the Unite
Nation in New York City during his tour around
the world.
The film does a brilliant job to narrative the vast
amount of materials and historic contents into a
129 minutes motion picture. A heroic, intelligent,
brave, inspiring, charismatic, disciplined, and
confident revolutionary vividly lives on the big
screen through Benicio
Del Toro's impeccable performance. The film is
a tribute and celebration to Che's idealism,
dedication, and sacrifice.
When Che was asked to identify the most important
quality of a revolutionary, his answer is "Love."
That explains why Che passionately fights for what
he believes in, and nothing can deter his
determination.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892255/
CHE Part One
Like the speech Che gives at the podium of the the Unite
Nation, shot beautifully in black and
white, "Che: Part
One" has an uplifting tone of victory and
exhilaration. This is one of the best films I have seen
in 2008.
Che: Part Two
"Che:
Part Two" (USA 2008, 128 min.) is also
called "Guerrilla,"
a title again I fail to find in the film. This film
entirely focuses on Che's underground guerrilla war
effort in Bolivia. Che wants to start a revolution in
Bolivia and repeats the victory in Cuba.
After Che disappeared at his fame and power, he
reemerges secretly in Bolivia to lead a guerrilla
group. However, he does not have the support and
alliance as during the Cuba Revolution. The film
shows how he loses one battle after another one to
the Bolivia Army. In the end, he is captured and
executed.
The condition is horrendous in Bolivia mountains, yet
Che's spirit and courage are never shaken. He
continues to fight until his last breath for his idea
and his belief.
"Che:
Part Two" has a much different tone
as "Che:
Part One." The film seems showing nothing
but how Che is defeated and how he is leading the
guerrilla group on the run, instead of attacking. It
is quite depressing.
It would be better if the film contained more
historic background and more character
development. Instead, the film tells the story like a
documentary and follows the exhausted guerrilla
fighters escaping from one ambush to another
one. Besides Che, I can hardly tell Che's comrades
apart, especially when they wear the same uniform and
the same beard.
CHE Part Two
Perhaps I am so impressed by the Che's valorous figure in Part One that I reluctant to see him falling in Part Two.
