Strawberry and Chocolate Movie Review 1993

Sex, politics, and friendship set in 1979 Havana. University student David (Cruz) is sitting morosely in a cafe eating chocolate ice cream when he's spotted by older, educated, gay, strawberry-eating Diego (Perugorria), who manages to persuade David to visit him at his apartment. Resolutely hetero (and communist), David is appalled not only by Diego's sexuality but by his subversive politics. But gradually David's seduced by Diego's ideas and friendship into questioning the regime's harsh policies (and homophobia). Satiric and sympathetic--not only to the characters but to Cuba itself. Ill with cancer, Gutierrez Alea finished the film with the aid of Tabio. From the short story "The Wolf, the Forest and the New Man" by sceenwriter Paz. Spanish with subtitles.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS
Running time 110 minutes.
Originally from Cuban.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Cuba, Gays, Politics, Period Piece: 1970s, Adapted from a Story, Buddies

Screenplay

Tomas Gutierrez Alea, Senel Paz

Cast

Jorge Perugorria, Vladimir Cruz, Mirta Ibarra, Francisco Gattorno, Jorge Angelino, Marilyn Solaya

Cinematography

Mario Garcia Joya

Director

Tomas Gutierrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabio

Music

Jose Maria Vitier

Producer

Miguel Mendoza, Miramax Films