Product Description

PAL MULTI REGION Groundbreaking and hugely celebrated for numerous reasons, Cuba s greatest director, Thomas Guiterrez Alea s (Memories Of Underdevlopment) and his then protégé, now tour de force director in his own right, Juan Carlos Tabio s (So Far Away, Guantanamera) Strawberry And Chocolate (Fresa Y Chocolate) was the first Cuban film ever to receive an Academy Award nomination, thanks to its revelatory plot, masterful direction and phenomenally crafted performances. Diego, a cultivated, apolitical, sceptical young artist living in Havana initiates a friendship with fiercely communist homophobe David with the intention of seducing him. David, knowing this, allows the relationship to build so he can spy on a person he sees as aberrant and dangerous to the communist cause. Despite their conflicting sexualities and political ideologies the two slowly build a relationship out of their differences, proving that camaraderie and friendship can overcome the most divisive superficialities. An exploration into the seduction of the mind, Strawberry And Chocolate shows how politics can shape lives, opinions and relationships. Hugely controversial in Cuba even now, the film was the first to feature a gay man as the hero while openly criticising the Government and its widespread intolerance. It was this picture that started the dialogue that has only last year allowed Brokeback Mountain to be shown in Havana. Charming, nuanced, groundbreaking and thought provoking, Strawberry And Chocolate is a clear-cut declaration that even in spite of politics, love for your fellow man will always triumph if allowed to.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16102 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-02-23
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 104 minutes

Synopsis
This acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film set in Cuba follows the unlikely friendship between David (Vladimir Cruz), an uptight conservative, and Diego (Jorge Perrugoria), his flamboyantly gay neighbour. At first David balks at Diego's anti-Castro leanings (which have grown especially strong in light of the government's suppression of homosexuality). However, David soon finds irresistible Diego's access to American contraband (magazines, alcohol, etc.), and with the help of a vivacious neighbour, they negotiate their disappointments and ultimately find the pleasures of life. Combining drama with a bit of humour, this film provides a light, but realistic look at the Cuban Revolution, government persecution of marginalized groups, and the tendency of human kindness to overcome hardship.

Review
Delightful --NY Times

Review
Delectable --Playboy

Customer Reviews

Their common interests bring them together and both teach each other about life
Strawberries and Chocolate is a film about the friendship between two men. David and Diego make an odd couple and are opposites in many ways. David is a college student full of ideals but lacks in maturity. David is also a communist studying political science but has a love for literature. Diego is flamboyant homosexual that is sophisticated and a bit cunning. Diego strikes up the friendship but David hesitantly accepts it because he is heterosexual.

We really do not know much of David other than from the opening sequence in which he promises to wait to have sex to his girlfriend until after marriage but she jilts him shortly later. David expects Diego to do something similar and not make advances on him. So the story is about putting aside sexuality and just being friends, accepting someone for who they are. Their common interests bring them together and both teach each other about life.

The story doesn't have too many characters and is fairly simple yet the way the film explores unlikely friendship is amazing. Strawberries and Chocolate is a Cuban film so for those who are not familiar with Cuba may find this movie a bit exotic just because of this (and there are a few parts with love spells and fortune telling). I think the acting is great and the story should appeal to those who like dramas.

Beautiful movie in every sense
This is a movie I saw in the early 90s. I kept thinking about it off and on. And then decided to have a look on Amazon.com if it was still available. So I saw it again after about fifteen years, and still it gave me the same warm feeling. The actors are great, Cuba is beautiful, and the story, about a homosexual and his straight friend, the art world and the problems they encounter, is very touching and humurous.

Fabulous Film
This was a brilliant film. Very funny with its touching moments too. It started off a bit raunchy, but after the first quarter of an hour it settled into a film about people and their relationships.