Strawberry and Chocolate
- Jorge Perugorría: Diego
- Vladimir Cruz: David
- Mirta Ibarra: Nancy
- Francisco Gattorno: Miguel
- Joel Angelino: Germán
- Marilyn Solaya: Vivian
- Andrés Cortina: Santeria priest
- Antonio Carmona: fiance
Strawberry and Chocolate ( Original title: Fresa y chocolate ) is a feature film directed by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea of Cuba from 1993 about two men in Havana. The main roles were played by Jorge Perugorría and Vladimir Cruz. As co-director Juan Carlos acted Tabío, the screenplay was written by Senel Paz
Action
Diego, a gay artist with great doubts about the communist system in Cuba ensnared the student David who seeks enthusiastic about the system his way. Their first meeting will take place in Coppelia, which took " the most famous ice cream shop between Miami and Tierra del Fuego ." Diego, who can be imported from abroad books by Mario Vargas Llosa and other authors, and endeavored to exhibitions with Christian sculpture is crazy for strawberry ice cream and men, while that of lovesickness plagued David chocolate and loves women.
Diego tries to seduce David. David is outraged and wants Diego show on the party line. He gets by a fellow student and friend party but the order for appearance to take a friendship with Diego to spy on him. David agrees, but contrary to expectations, develops between the two men a real friendly relationship. David is able to view Diego's artistic world and his liberal views. Diego's lonely, neurotic neighbor Nancy learns David also know and falls in love with him, leading to jealous tension between Diego and Nancy. Ultimately, however, Diego ensures that Nancy and David sleep together; David's lovesickness is cured. Exposed to the ever greater repression sighted Diego has to leave Cuba. The David himself become conscious consists publicly for his persecuted friend.
Criticism
The lexicon of the International film judges, the film was "a human moving and highly entertaining plea for respect and tolerance. Cinema feeling in the best sense, directed with a sure hand between the extremes of melodrama and farce, ironically. "
Prisma -online notes, strawberry and chocolate was "an impressive picture of Cuban society, showing a friendship that also social and political taboos ( this includes homosexuality in Cuba still ) can overcome. "
Awards
At the 13th International Film Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana (Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano ) 1993, the film won numerous awards; the Great Coral, the ARCI -NOVA Award, the OCIC Award, the Audience Award, the FIPRESCI Prize and Best in the categories of Director, Best Actor ( Jorge Perugorría ) and Best Supporting Actress ( Mirta Ibarra ). At the Sundance Film Festival 1995, the film won the Special Jury Prize as " Honorable Mention ". At the Berlinale 1994, the film took part in the competition for the Golden Bear, but was beaten in the name of the Father Jim Sheridan. For Strawberry and Chocolate won the Teddy Award in Berlin and the Silver Bear Jury. In the Brazilian Gramado Film Festival, the film with the Kikito - Critics Prize, the Golden Kikito for Best Latin American Film, Best Supporting Actress ( Mirta Ibarra ) was twice for Best Actor ( Jorge Perugorría and Vladimir Cruz ), and won the Audience Award.
At the Academy Awards in 1995 (or, according to official figures, 1994), the film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, but could not prevail against the Russian film Burnt by the Sun Burnt by itself. At the ceremony of the Goya 1995, the film won in the category Best Foreign Film in Spanish.
Trivia
The Cuban salsa band Los Van Van played in their hit El Travesti, which is about a transvestite, on the use of symbols chocolate and strawberry on the film.