THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES

Spain, 2004, 126 minutes, Colour.
Gale Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo Della Serna.
Directed by Walter Salles.

Since his death in 1967, Che Guevara has become a symbol of revolution, an icon for all types of protest. There have been a number of documentaries on him, especially his role in the Cuban uprising (with some comments from Castro himself in Oliver Stone's Commandante) and a late 60s Hollywood biopic with Omar Sharif. Walter Salles' film is based on his diaries, written during a trip in 1952 which took him through his native Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and ended in Venezuela. It is also based on the book by his friend, Alberto Granado, who shared the journey and who also went to Cuba and still lives there (his old and gnarled face being the final image of the film).

The journey was life-changing for the 24 year old medical student. The film shows nothing of his later life and battles. Rather, it portrays a personal Latin American journey of the early 1950s. What started as an adventure was gradually transformed into the beginnings of social consciousness and a fight for justice. This is the journey that the audience shares.

Using the conventions of the road movie, the film, at first, seems just another buddy experience in beautiful, rugged and remote areas, the usual spills from their old motor bike, bluffing their way into people's homes, flirting along the way. But, by the time we reach the mines of Chile, the Indians in Cuzko and the lepers in San Pablo, Peru, we share the awareness of social inequality and the need for action that is both compassionate and just.

As Guevara, Gael Garcia Bernal gives yet another fine, generally understated performance. He is matched by the exuberance of Rodrigo de la Serna as Alberto. The film notes that this is not a tale of mighty deeds but rather smaller and more ordinary action. It is still only too relevant to today and to the countries of South and Central America, a plea for action. The Ecumenical award winner in Cannes, 2004.

1. Popular understanding of Che Guevara? His status as a revolutionary symbol? His revolutionary stances, his story, history, a reappraisal?

2. Latin America, its history of colonialisation, the oppression of the Indians, companies and ownership, oppression? Issues of justice? Revolutions? The churches and the stances on liberation theology?

3. The film based on the diary of Ernesto Guevara? Written during the trip, edited afterwards on reflection? The book by Alberto Granado? His friendship with Ernesto? The film and its use of the diaries, the indication of the kilometres travelled, the dates and places?

4. The conventions of the road movie, the buddies on the road, the difficulties, falling off bikes, the need for support, money, repairs, food_? The bonding on the road? The journey as transforming?

5. The use of South American locations: Argentina and its cities, the countryside, Patagonia? The Andes? Chile, the deserts, the mines, the city of Valparaiso, Peru, Cuszko, Macchu Picchu? The cities, the Amazon, the leper colony of San Pablo? Venezuela? A portrait of Latin America, 1952?

6. The audience response, sharing the journey? From adventure to a change in life and attitudes leading to ultimate choices?

7. The introduction to Alberto and Ernesto, the explanation, their ages, friendship, work and studies, Albert as a pharmacist, Ernesto as a medical student, almost finished, his exams? The families, the father not wanting his son to go - yet saying that it was the kind of thing he would like to have done? The farewells?

8. The bike itself, its name, the possibilities for the trip? The plan, the dates, timetable? Clothes, food and money? Repairs? Luck, ingenuity and bluff, experiencing kindness, work? The components of the journey?

9. The initial take-off, a certain recklessness, the out-of-the-way terrain, the harsh roads, the image of Latin America? Their falls? Going to Miramar, the family, the young girl, spending six days, comfortable and elegant?

10. Their being lost, people and help, people being suspicious, crossing the frontier, the experience of crossing a border, a new country? The summer snow and its depths? Ernesto and the man with the tumour, his bluntness, not wanting to tell lies? Arriving at the town, the interview with the newspaper, Ernesto and his inflating their story? Going to the garage, the man reading the paper, wanting to fix the bike, the girls in the town, the dancing, Ernesto and his awkwardness, Alberto and his being a first-class dancer, flirting? Their being chased out of the town? The two girls, sisters, their getting support for their two travellers? The comment on pronunciation - especially the word "Che" and its becoming Guevara's nickname?

11. Ernesto and his keeping the diary, the writing, his introspection, silent? The contrast with the exuberance of Alberto and his extroversion?

12. The visit to Valparaiso, the cities?

13. The desert, the mines, meeting the people, the kind couple, the talk, the issues of oppression, the companies, the selecting of the workers and rejecting of others? Ernesto watching this? The boss and his talking about the ownership of the companies? The later information that Ernesto had given the fifteen dollars to the couple?

14. The Andes, going to Cuszko, the history of the ancient capital, the history of the Incas and Spanish oppression? The church, the Jesuits and the church in Cuszko? Meeting the Indians, listening to their stories?

15. The insertion of the black and white photographs? Their being shown again during the final credits?

16. On the boat, Ernesto and his asthma, the difficulties in breathing, his very bad turn? Rodrigo, meeting the prostitute, their talking, his wanting to get some money, gambling and succeeding?

17. The doctor in the town, the discussions about leprosy, the research, the books? His helping them, food and clothing, money? His giving the manuscript of his novel - and Alberto's kind words, Ernesto and his bluntness? Arriving in San Pablo? The regulations about wearing gloves, the Mother Superior and the strictness of her rules? Meeting the people, shaking their hands, visiting the wards, accompanied by the doctor, the young girl and her not wanting to be operated on, Ernesto and his talking, listening and his care? The football match? Their not being served any lunch because they did not go to mass? The people bringing them food? The party for Ernesto's birthday? His decision to swim across the river, the difficulty in breathing, his achievement, Alberto's worry, the people urging him on? The swimming of the river as being a symbol of a change in his attitudes, his moving into action?

18. Venezuela, the farewells, the point about Alberto's birthday and the deadline? Ernesto at twenty-four, the years to come, his reflection, writings, life choices and going to Cuba? Alberto and his eventually going to Cuba, setting up hospitals, remaining there? His face as the final image of the film along with the black and white photographs of the range of Latin American people?

19. The non-political perspective of the film, showing someone who became an icon in his early years, some portrait of why he took the stances that he eventually did?