DVD: Feature: Strawberry and Chocolate (Fresa y chocolate)

1993, Dir Tomas Alea, ICAIC),104 mins, the famous feature film of 1993 from Cuba's late great director, Tomas Gutierrez Alea about a young Communist man's relationship with a gay Catholic writer, exploring tolerance, inclusion, homophobia and challenging its Cuban audience with great humour. Based on the short story by Cuban writer Senel Paz. A ground breaking film. Unmissable.

£13.50 inc p&p

| Check Basket |

Strawberry & Chocolate is essential viewing for anyone interested in Cuban society and culture. It is both critical and funny and proves Cuba’s ability to question itself – and laugh at itself – in the midst of Special Period crisis.

Set in 1980s Havana, young communist student David meets Diego – a gay Catholic artist – and they embark on a journey of friendship and mutual understanding, hindered by pressures on David to reject Diego and all he values.

Released in 1993 to packed cinemas all over Cuba, it was a huge success despite posing difficult questions: What does it mean to be a revolutionary and has Cuba been too exclusive? Can a gay person be revolutionary? Can a Catholic be revolutionary? What role can artists have in the revolution?  

According to actor Mirta Ibarra, who played Nancy, Diego’s neighbour, “It wasn’t just a Cuban film – it was popular because the subject of intolerance, that people feel towards others who are different and who think differently from themselves, is an important one; a contemporary issue, unfortunately, and a global one.“ The film went on to win many awards in Cuba, the US and Europe.