"Strawberry and Chocolate" is a Cuban film that was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Oscar--losing to "Burnt By the Sun" (my personal favorite was "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman"). And, although the film is set in communist Cuba and is about a gay man, you can enjoy the film regardless of your orientation (political or sexual). It's simply well made and interesting.
David is a very straight young man who is an unquestioning lover of the Cuban revolution. One day, he's approached by Diego and lured to Diego's apartment. However, because David is certainly not gay, Diego's conquest never occurs and David leaves. When David tells a friend about this, this friend encourages David to return to spy on Diego. After all, he's a gay religious man and has international ideas--and MUST be an enemy of the state. Something strange happens, however, and Diego and David become friends--something that challenges both of them. Diego must learn to deal with a non-sexual male friend and David must realize that you can still love your country without being straight or having a love of life outside Cuba.
The film works mostly because the acting is quite nice and the story universal. Even with a few anti-American remarks at one point, the film is one anyone can enjoy. And, I was surprised that this Cuban film was willing to question what it is to be patriotic--and how Cuba in 1993 was not exactly tolerant when it came to homosexuality. Fascinating.
By the way, there is a reasonable amount of nudity in this one, so you may want to think twice about having younger folks watch the film.
David is a very straight young man who is an unquestioning lover of the Cuban revolution. One day, he's approached by Diego and lured to Diego's apartment. However, because David is certainly not gay, Diego's conquest never occurs and David leaves. When David tells a friend about this, this friend encourages David to return to spy on Diego. After all, he's a gay religious man and has international ideas--and MUST be an enemy of the state. Something strange happens, however, and Diego and David become friends--something that challenges both of them. Diego must learn to deal with a non-sexual male friend and David must realize that you can still love your country without being straight or having a love of life outside Cuba.
The film works mostly because the acting is quite nice and the story universal. Even with a few anti-American remarks at one point, the film is one anyone can enjoy. And, I was surprised that this Cuban film was willing to question what it is to be patriotic--and how Cuba in 1993 was not exactly tolerant when it came to homosexuality. Fascinating.
By the way, there is a reasonable amount of nudity in this one, so you may want to think twice about having younger folks watch the film.