CHE

US, 2008, 268 minutes, Colour.
Benicio Del Toro, Demian Bichir, Joachim De Almeida, Jordi Molla, Julia Ormond, Lou Diamond Phillips, Franca Potente, Rodrigo Santoro, Catalina Sandina Moreno.
Directed by Steven Soderberg.

Che is two films in one. The first part portrays the Cuban revolution, especially Che’s choices and leadership. The second part is his guerrilla warfare in Bolivia culminating in his death there in 1967.

While the project is ambitious, Soderbergh offers a rather classical cinema portrait of Che. During the Revolution, we are able to follow the years of skirmishes then battles, the emergence of the Castros (both Fidel and Raul, providing interesting background in the light of subsequent history) and the support of the Cuban people for the uprising. The film provides a detailed look at the events. However, it also offers some material for judging Che by constant flash-forwards (in black and white) to his 1964 visit to the US, the television interviews and his speech and rebuttal of arguments at the United Nations. There is a lot of reflective material here in Che’s own words and in the journalist’s questions and the UN members’ critique.

While Che’s idealism is to the fore, his clear policy of armed attack as the only way to be rid of corrupt governments with the consequent violence and executions is put in his own mouth as well as the condemnations of others. In retrospect, it is interesting to wonder what might have happened had the US withdrawn the sanctions (and even moved out of Guantanomo).

The second part is not so gripping because, paralleling what actually happened, it shows the haphazard activities of Che in Bolivia, the revolution not really sparking and the small crusade waged by him and his followers (with the disapproval of the Communist Party against armed attack). The action meanders from one encounter to another, the Bolivian Andes contrasting with the Cuban terrain.

Benicio del Toro has an important role as Che. However, Soderbergh does not always place him centre screen – which fits in with his tendency not to be a leader like Castro. And he does not come across as highly charismatic as anticipated. Rather, like a missionary, he has his ideals, his zeal, his complete dedication to the people he wants to free and is prepared to die for all of this.

1.The reputation of Che Guevera? Audience interest? In the 60s and 70s? Now? As the Argentinian, as the guerrilla? The cycle of films? The background of Walter Salez’ Motorcycle Diaries? The format for this film? Che as a doctor, social concern, his meeting with Fidel Castro, the interest in Cuba, the military, his guerrilla textbook, his advice to Castro, emerging as a leader of the revolution? Going to the UN in 1964? In the Congo, Bolivia? An idealist? Even to death? His impact around the world? A left-wing icon? Films and documentaries about him?

2.Stephen Soderberg, an elaborate project? Screening in two parts? The two phases of Guevera’s career? The classical narrative style? Black and white photography for New York? The point-of-view camera for Che’s death?

3.The history of Cuba, the 20th century, the 1950s, President Batista and corruption? Life in the mountains, the villages, the cities? The action and warfare? The special effects for the train crash? The musical score?

4.The United Nations sequences, New York, black and white, the television channels, the journalist’s interview, in the apartment and meals and discussions?

5.Bolivia, the Andes, the villages, the beauty of the countryside? The score?

6.The introduction to Cuba, 1955, Fidel and the men sailing to Cuba? Only twelve surviving? In Mexico, the ship? The recurrence of this image at the end and Che Guevera’s hopes? The interviews about Batista, the scenes of Batista and wealthy life in Cuba? The quotation about John Quincy Adams and Cuba as an apple for America’s gain?

7.The screenplay, the information, the quotations from Che Guevera, quotations from authors like Tolstoy about spirit in war? The economic information, the politics, medical? Che and his concerns, communist background, socialist interest in people and practice?

8.Fidel Castro, his aims, character, Raoul as younger, supportive? The eighty-two who sailed to Cuba, the twelve surviving? Castro as leader, his skill in strategies, decision-making, loyalties, Che and his advice, orders to him, especially for training? The court case about the soldier shooting the other? Issues of discipline? The strikes again Batista, Fidel’s support? His interest in negotiations? His officers?

9.The range of men, the military, from the countryside, young, illiterate and needing to learn, the teaching of reading and writing, joining whether or not they had weapons? Some running away, exploiting the situation, executed? The guards, inefficiencies? The build-up of training, strategies, guerrilla warfare, the battles, the Cuban army, their reports? The wounded and the dying being cared for? Che and his work as doctor?

10.Che, his name, the Argentinian, foreigner and not always accepted? Her personality, charisma? His asthma and health? Work as a doctor, an idealist in action and in theory, his strong commitment to military and arms? His being accused of being an assassin? The rolls of executions?

11.The build-up to the end of the revolution, the finales the people joining, the soldiers surrendering, the overturning of the train? The sniper in the city? Getting into the hotel from the side? The chief of the army, his surrender and escaping incognito? The rebels finding arms? The final surrender?

12.Che, the war transforming him? The relationship with Aleida? His wife and children in Mexico? Later information about his marriage to Aleida and leaving her in Cuba with the children?

13.The finale of part one, the image of the stolen car, Che reprimanding the soldiers and sending the car back? Not in the spirit of the revolution?

14.New York, black and white photography, the range of interviews, Che’s answers, explanation of the Cuban situation, economics, embargos, sanctions, the role of the Soviet Union, the Bay of Pigs, the missiles, the American occupation of Guantanamo? American raids and piracy against Cuban vessels? His relationship to his advisers? The young man wanting his advice and permissions? The United Nations, his reception, the bomb scares on the East River? His speech, the answers, Venezuela, Panama and their condemnation, Adlai Stevenson? Che’s rebuttal of their arguments?

15.His disappearance, going to the Congo, Venezuela, going to Bolivia? Fidel Castro and Che’s letter, explaining his resignation, moving to Bolivia? Cuba’s continued interest and support of revolution in Bolivia?

16.The Bolivian situation, a democracy, General Barrientos as president? The military? The peasants, their attitudes? Oppression? Different from the Cubans?

17.Che’s arrival, leaving his family, the disguise of teeth and baldness? His being followed? Going to the mountains, being welcomed, incognito as Ramon, people knowing his identity?

18.The contrast with the Cuban peasants, his comments, training, the examples of guerrilla warfare? The Bolivian Communist Party, the visit of Monje, trying to persuade him to join, the official Communist Party attitude against military action? Monje’s resignation and withdrawal?

19.Life in the mountains, hard, the recruits, their motivations, the training, their interactions, going to the villages, getting food? Betrayals? Tanya and her presence, work, going to the city, her return – and being followed? The loss of five years’ work?

20.The president, his style, the American delegation, the discussions about training – and the implications about the School of the Americas? His visiting the corpses? The orders for Che’s death?

21.The structure, the different days? A diary of skirmishes? Ramon, leader, unobtrusive, illness, acknowledging mistakes?

22.The battles, the attacks, wounding and deaths, strategies?

23.Che’s capture, in the cell, Eduardo and the discussion about his life, Eduardo and his volunteering, shooting Che? The transporting of his body?

24.Che’s missionary zeal, willing to lay down his life, social concern, achievement? An admirable hero or not?