Very interesting movie, I had no idea a what we were going to view. I will call it a teen sex movie that is full of spice, is sexy, adventurous and raunchy.
My take on this movie is many, there is so much going on. We see poverty and wealth. The president attends Tenoch's relatives wedding and their is concern for the number of body guards. Julio is not that wealthy but would like to be someday. Luisa is a horny married women looking for some adventure and spice in her life. Given Luisa'a body language, Tenoch and Julio ask her to join them on a trip to a fictitious "Mouth of Heaven". Does that name have any sexual undertones to you, it does me.
There aren't any role models for the boys and their girlfriends leave for Europe for the summer. This is trouble for two teenage boys raging with hormones. Not only that, but they smoke pot continuously and drink alcohol like crazy. This being said, a road trip with a beautiful and sexy women thrown into the mix, you then know what's gong to happen.
During the trip each boy has sex with Luisa, they find out that they each have had sex with each other's girlfriend. That did not go over so well at first, but they then smoke, drink, and laugh and sing about it. In the background of the trip, you see road blocks and political corruption. I guess this falls in line with what's happening on their journey.
I did not stay to watch the ending, so I'm not sure what happened. Very interesting movie. When I came home and told my husband about it, he could not believe I had to watch this kind of film for a grade. I feel the same way because it made me uncomfortable in an auditorium with a bunch of women. I could have went to buy a XXX movie and watched it with my husband.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
El Viaje de Carol
This was an amazing film that really touched me. This is another movie that shows how strong family ties are and how strong the women are.
Aurora brings Carol to Spain during the Civil War. Carol's father is a fighter pilot back in America, whom she, nor her mother see very much because of the war. Aurora is dying of cancer and comes back to Spain to be with family. Even though Aurora'a mother had passed away, her father remains. Aurora tells Maruja,her friend and teacher, about her cancer. Not soon after, Carol unaware of her mother's illness finds her dead on a swing. This seems to only make Carol a stronger little girl.
Carol is very different in the way she dresses like a boy, and seems very uncomfortable in a dress. She likes hanging out with boys and doing boy things. She is very intelligent and likes teaching her maid English. Carol is not afraid to say what she thinks and is respected for that. When Carol meets Tomiche they get off on a bad note by him taking her hat. She even knees him in the privates. They then soon find to have an attraction for one another and begin hanging out. The relationship turns into first love and they kiss. I think this is so cute and innocent. It reminds me of me with my first love, something, or someone you'll never forget.
After Aurora's death Carol lives with her Aunt Dolores,Aurora'a sister, and Uncle Alfonzo whom used to be engaged to Aurora. This does not work out well because of Carol's beliefs of religion and culture, some other reason may be because she is simply Aurora's daughter. Carol runs away on her bicycle to seek her grandfather's help. She persuades her Grandfather to move into his empty house with her from the spa, where he currently resides. He agrees despite the many memories of his deceased wife and daughter.
Aurora brings Carol to Spain during the Civil War. Carol's father is a fighter pilot back in America, whom she, nor her mother see very much because of the war. Aurora is dying of cancer and comes back to Spain to be with family. Even though Aurora'a mother had passed away, her father remains. Aurora tells Maruja,her friend and teacher, about her cancer. Not soon after, Carol unaware of her mother's illness finds her dead on a swing. This seems to only make Carol a stronger little girl.
Carol is very different in the way she dresses like a boy, and seems very uncomfortable in a dress. She likes hanging out with boys and doing boy things. She is very intelligent and likes teaching her maid English. Carol is not afraid to say what she thinks and is respected for that. When Carol meets Tomiche they get off on a bad note by him taking her hat. She even knees him in the privates. They then soon find to have an attraction for one another and begin hanging out. The relationship turns into first love and they kiss. I think this is so cute and innocent. It reminds me of me with my first love, something, or someone you'll never forget.
After Aurora's death Carol lives with her Aunt Dolores,Aurora'a sister, and Uncle Alfonzo whom used to be engaged to Aurora. This does not work out well because of Carol's beliefs of religion and culture, some other reason may be because she is simply Aurora's daughter. Carol runs away on her bicycle to seek her grandfather's help. She persuades her Grandfather to move into his empty house with her from the spa, where he currently resides. He agrees despite the many memories of his deceased wife and daughter.
Letters from Carol's father come and she has Maruja write her father back believing it to be Aurora. Carol is very caring and does not want her father to become upset knowing that his wife has passed. She believes that her father will be better off not knowing for now. She even asks her grandfather promise to not say anything.
Her father comes to Spain to see Carol. The Franko's are onto him so he flees. The Franko's know he will go down to the river and set off. Tomiche believes he can help Carol's father escape and loses his life to a gunshot. This about killed me knowing he sacrificed himself so that Carol could be with her father.
The film ended as it began, with Carol riding in the buggy and the boys behind her on bicycles, even Tomiche's spirit! Great movie.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Volver
This was very easy to watch and enjoy. The tribute to women comes from how strong and close these women are. Strong mostly. They are all independent whom work hard for a living and who do not expect a man to take care of them. Raimunda works several jobs, and decides to get another job to care for her husband after he lost his. Sole's husband left two years ago and has never returned. Sole runs a hair salon out of her apartment. This seems to be a source of gossip as well.
Paco tries to rape his daughter Paula telling her that he is not her father, which later in the film we find out this is true. Paula in self-defense accidentally kills Paco with a knife for this. Raimunda was raped by her own father and conceived Paula by that mean. She raises Paula as a daughter, and does not tell her that she is really her "half sister". Raimunda wraps up Paco and puts him in a local restaurant freezer, a few doors down until she decides what to do with the body.
A film crew comes to town and Raimunda breaks a deal to cater for them for extra money.
Aunt Paula has died, whom Raimunda adores because she raised her. With the circumstances that recently occurred she cannot attend the funeral.,Sole must go by herself. When Sole returns from the funeral a voice from the trunk asks her to let her out. This is the voice of her mother Irene ,whom she thinks is a ghost due to the fact that she died in a fire years ago. Irene has packed her luggage and wants to go inside. Sole is in shock that she is speaking to a ghost but misses her mother and lets her stay in her apartment. Irene, to avoid suspicion, washes customers hair and acts as a Russian that does not speak Spanish. Sole asks her mother if she has unfinished business here and why she has not crossed over. Her mother explains that she does, and this is the reason Raimunda hates her so much.
Augustina, a village friend of Aunt Paula calls to tell Raimunda she has cancer. Augustina wants to know if Raimunda has seen her mother's ghost. Augustina's mother disappeared three years ago and wants to know if Irene's spirit knows what her fate is.
Raimunda leaves Paula with Sole so that she can rid herself of Paco's body. Paula, while staying at Sole's meets her grandmother's ghost and grows close to her.
Augustina reveals that Raimund's father was having an affair with Augustina's mother. Augustina also revealed that the same time Raimunda's parents died in a fire, her mother also disappeared.
Sole tells Rainmunda that her mother is at her house. Raimunda is very upset at first but Irene has a chance to tell her the whole story. Raimunda was angry that her mother never knew about the sexual abuse by her own father. Irene explained that when she found out about the abuse, and the affair, she was so angry that she started the fire that killed Raimunda's father and Augustina's mother. Irene then went to into hiding for fear of getting caught, and took care of Aunt Paula as a "ghost".
Irene goes to Augustina's house to care for her as the cancer worsens. Augustina believes that Irene is a ghost and welcomes the care and company. While Irene is at Augustina's house Raimunda goes to her, they embrace and decide they will repair their relationship.
Paco tries to rape his daughter Paula telling her that he is not her father, which later in the film we find out this is true. Paula in self-defense accidentally kills Paco with a knife for this. Raimunda was raped by her own father and conceived Paula by that mean. She raises Paula as a daughter, and does not tell her that she is really her "half sister". Raimunda wraps up Paco and puts him in a local restaurant freezer, a few doors down until she decides what to do with the body.
A film crew comes to town and Raimunda breaks a deal to cater for them for extra money.
Aunt Paula has died, whom Raimunda adores because she raised her. With the circumstances that recently occurred she cannot attend the funeral.,Sole must go by herself. When Sole returns from the funeral a voice from the trunk asks her to let her out. This is the voice of her mother Irene ,whom she thinks is a ghost due to the fact that she died in a fire years ago. Irene has packed her luggage and wants to go inside. Sole is in shock that she is speaking to a ghost but misses her mother and lets her stay in her apartment. Irene, to avoid suspicion, washes customers hair and acts as a Russian that does not speak Spanish. Sole asks her mother if she has unfinished business here and why she has not crossed over. Her mother explains that she does, and this is the reason Raimunda hates her so much.
Augustina, a village friend of Aunt Paula calls to tell Raimunda she has cancer. Augustina wants to know if Raimunda has seen her mother's ghost. Augustina's mother disappeared three years ago and wants to know if Irene's spirit knows what her fate is.
Raimunda leaves Paula with Sole so that she can rid herself of Paco's body. Paula, while staying at Sole's meets her grandmother's ghost and grows close to her.
Augustina reveals that Raimund's father was having an affair with Augustina's mother. Augustina also revealed that the same time Raimunda's parents died in a fire, her mother also disappeared.
Sole tells Rainmunda that her mother is at her house. Raimunda is very upset at first but Irene has a chance to tell her the whole story. Raimunda was angry that her mother never knew about the sexual abuse by her own father. Irene explained that when she found out about the abuse, and the affair, she was so angry that she started the fire that killed Raimunda's father and Augustina's mother. Irene then went to into hiding for fear of getting caught, and took care of Aunt Paula as a "ghost".
Irene goes to Augustina's house to care for her as the cancer worsens. Augustina believes that Irene is a ghost and welcomes the care and company. While Irene is at Augustina's house Raimunda goes to her, they embrace and decide they will repair their relationship.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Guantanamera
There are several strong aspects of Hispanic culture in this movie. The movie starts and ends with the song Guantanamera. I have to admit that this song has stuck in my head and I will probably download it to my ipod. It has such a great beat to it. Aldolfo displays his masochism throughout the movie. When he physically assaulted Gina, that really made me angry, not just what Aldolfo did, but that this seems to be an accepted way of living for Hispanics. Head of household or not, this is unacceptable! Aldolfo also displays his hot-headed temper during talks of his new business adventures. Hispanics seem to be this way. Mariano is a womanizer in the film, and to be honest, I even thought he was very handsome. The food and drink, especially the coffee, rum and banana's play another big part of Hispanic culture. Coffee was everywhere people went. Everyone is trying to make money, selling food from the roadside was popular, and people that bought the food, were going to sell it for more money. Aldolfo tries making money by planning a corpse transporting business.
Gina's aunt Yoyita returns home and you see the strength and love of family. Even though Yoyita was absent for 50 years , she and Gina are very comfortable with each other.
On a softer note, Hispanics can be very romantic ,like when Candido pledges his love to Yoyita. She feels the same about him. Too bad she had to collapse over dead. Mariano and Gina riding away on the bicycle at the end of the film made me happy. They both definitely had a flame burning. I mean Mariano dropped out of college, and Gina quit her job as a teacher because of their unthinkable feelings. Even though Mariano was a player, he was ready to welcome Gina into his life on a forever note. Loved the movie!
Gina's aunt Yoyita returns home and you see the strength and love of family. Even though Yoyita was absent for 50 years , she and Gina are very comfortable with each other.
On a softer note, Hispanics can be very romantic ,like when Candido pledges his love to Yoyita. She feels the same about him. Too bad she had to collapse over dead. Mariano and Gina riding away on the bicycle at the end of the film made me happy. They both definitely had a flame burning. I mean Mariano dropped out of college, and Gina quit her job as a teacher because of their unthinkable feelings. Even though Mariano was a player, he was ready to welcome Gina into his life on a forever note. Loved the movie!
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Official Story
This film is based on the Dirty War of Argentina in the 1970's. The war left between 9,000 and 30,000 people disappearing from society. An affluent couple "adopts" a child during this time and the mother, Alicia is not allowed to ask any questions regarding the adoption of Gaby. Many people are very unaware of how much killing went on during the war, so Alicia did not really even think that Gaby was a product of it.
Alicia is a history teacher, teaching only from the books. Her students say that the "books" are from the military(assassins) and what they want you to believe. Alicia, married to a military husband Roberto, becomes very angry with her students rebellion. When Alicia's friend Ana visits and reveals her story of torture during the war, she starts to become concerned of the nature of Gaby's adoption. When Alicia questions Roberto regarding the adoption, he reminds her that she got what she wanted, Gaby. This secrecy makes Alicia even more uncomfortable. She also comes across protesters ( mostly grandparents), in the streets demanding the return of their loved ones, and the babies stolen from the womb of their children. Alicia feels for the people and wonders if she may actually have one of those babies. This then leads her on a search for the truth. I myself have mixed feelings about this. I honestly do not know if I could do this, seeing the love Alicia has for Gaby as her child. It makes me think of how much I love my own children, and the thought of giving them up sickens me.
History class takes on new meaning to Alicia and the so-called truth. When a student writes a paper depicting the realism that took place in history, she rewards him with an A- and asks him to simply provide references.
Alicia turns detective and thinks she may have found Gaby's true grandmother, Sara. When Roberto comes home and finds her there he becomes outraged and demands the "bag lady" leave their home.
Roberto looks for Gaby and asks Alicia where she is. Alicia's response is "how does it feel not knowing where your child is?" Roberto physically assaults her and Alicia leaves. The story ends as it began, Gaby singing a lullaby. Gaby is also waiting on her parent's to arrive as was Alicia when she was a child. Alicia's never returned, will Gaby's? There are a lot of questions to be answered at the end of this movie. What happened to Gaby? Where did Alicia go? Did Alicia leave Roberto for good? Did Alicia become a facilitator and help people find their loved ones? Does Gaby become reunited with her true grandparents?
I myself do not like so many unanswered questions, and therefore did not like this movie so much.
Alicia is a history teacher, teaching only from the books. Her students say that the "books" are from the military(assassins) and what they want you to believe. Alicia, married to a military husband Roberto, becomes very angry with her students rebellion. When Alicia's friend Ana visits and reveals her story of torture during the war, she starts to become concerned of the nature of Gaby's adoption. When Alicia questions Roberto regarding the adoption, he reminds her that she got what she wanted, Gaby. This secrecy makes Alicia even more uncomfortable. She also comes across protesters ( mostly grandparents), in the streets demanding the return of their loved ones, and the babies stolen from the womb of their children. Alicia feels for the people and wonders if she may actually have one of those babies. This then leads her on a search for the truth. I myself have mixed feelings about this. I honestly do not know if I could do this, seeing the love Alicia has for Gaby as her child. It makes me think of how much I love my own children, and the thought of giving them up sickens me.
History class takes on new meaning to Alicia and the so-called truth. When a student writes a paper depicting the realism that took place in history, she rewards him with an A- and asks him to simply provide references.
Alicia turns detective and thinks she may have found Gaby's true grandmother, Sara. When Roberto comes home and finds her there he becomes outraged and demands the "bag lady" leave their home.
Roberto looks for Gaby and asks Alicia where she is. Alicia's response is "how does it feel not knowing where your child is?" Roberto physically assaults her and Alicia leaves. The story ends as it began, Gaby singing a lullaby. Gaby is also waiting on her parent's to arrive as was Alicia when she was a child. Alicia's never returned, will Gaby's? There are a lot of questions to be answered at the end of this movie. What happened to Gaby? Where did Alicia go? Did Alicia leave Roberto for good? Did Alicia become a facilitator and help people find their loved ones? Does Gaby become reunited with her true grandparents?
I myself do not like so many unanswered questions, and therefore did not like this movie so much.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Like Water for Chocolate
I really enjoyed this film. It brought out many emotions in myself, anger, frustration, love, hurt, pain, jealously, exasperation, giving up hope, settling, exhilaration, etc.
I have not heard of Magical Realism(MR) before this class, however, this film had several examples of it. I guess the one that stands out the most was in the first scene. Mama Elena is cutting up onions and crying, placenta breaks, Tita is born. From all of the tears there were ten pounds of salt left behind to be used for cooking. The tears also signify how Tita was to be "cursed with sadness" for the rest of her life. MaMa Elena has dedicated Tita's life to taking care of her in her old age and not to ever marry. Tita doesn't agree with it and thinks it's absurd.
Tita displays her true feelings in her cooking, mostly loneliness and a longing for love. While making Rosaura's wedding cake she hallucinates and cries into the batter and icing. Nacha takes samples to make sure the tears have not ruined it, she is found dead clutching a picture of her lost lover. At the wedding reception, people felt sad and heart sick from the cake(MR).
Tita must deliver Rosura's son Roberto because there wasn't a doctor available. During this, Nacha help to guide her in spirit(MR). Tita starts to produce breast milk to care for Roberto when Rosaura cannot (MR). Pedro brings roses to Tita for being the head cook for a year. While preparing dinner, Nacha coaches Tita on how to make Quail and a sauce with the rose petals. Tita cooks with sexuality and intense need for love for Pedro. During dinner Pedro feels what she put into it and calls it "The Nectar of the Gods". MaMa Elena calls it "too salty" so as not to agree. Gertrudis after eating takes off naked, jumps onto a horse with Juan, and makes out with him as they ride off to join the Mexican Revolution.(MR)
Pedro and Rosaura are forced to leave because MaMa Elena feels Pedro and Tita are becoming too close. She also doesn't like Tita caring so much for Roberto.
Word is sent that Roberto has died from lack of nutrition. Tita knows that it is because she could not breast feed him.
Tita then has a nervous breakdown and meets Dr. John Brown. He recovers her and have established a bond.They decide to marry even though Tita still loves Pedro. After learning there was an invasion of the ranch, Tita returns to care for her mother. MaMa Elena is downright evil to Tita and believes she is trying to kill her by poisoning the food. MaMa Elena takes an overdose of an emetic and dies. Tita believes she died from frustration of love, just like she is frustrated.
Rosaura births girl and wants to name it after Tita, she adamantly refuses. Rosaura also says that the baby, later named Esperanza, will have to take care of her in age due to tradition. Tita vows to not let it happen. Pedro and Tita make love after Pedro learns of her getting married. Tita believes she is pregnant. MaMa Elena's ghost appears and curses Tita for what she has done(MR).
Gertrudis comes home as a General. MaMa Elena appears again cursing Tita(MR).Tita finally stands up for herself and tells her mother to go away, and that she hates her. As her mother disappears she catches Pedro on fire(MR). Tita nurses Pedro back to health.
Tita tells John about losing her virginity and cancels the wedding. John still wants to marry her despite what happened.
22 years later Esperanza and Johns son, Alex, marry. Rosaura had died from G.I. problems. Tita and Pedro can finally be together without any complications. They make love and Pedro dies immediately from intense passion. Pedros' soul had returned to it's divine origin. Tita will not live without Pedro, so she eats matches and they spontaneously com bust consuming both of them. Their spirits are joined in a lighted tunnel, representing the eternity they will have together, finally. The ranch is destroyed completely, well almost. The daughter of Esperanza finds the recipe book with the story of their love.
I have not heard of Magical Realism(MR) before this class, however, this film had several examples of it. I guess the one that stands out the most was in the first scene. Mama Elena is cutting up onions and crying, placenta breaks, Tita is born. From all of the tears there were ten pounds of salt left behind to be used for cooking. The tears also signify how Tita was to be "cursed with sadness" for the rest of her life. MaMa Elena has dedicated Tita's life to taking care of her in her old age and not to ever marry. Tita doesn't agree with it and thinks it's absurd.
Tita displays her true feelings in her cooking, mostly loneliness and a longing for love. While making Rosaura's wedding cake she hallucinates and cries into the batter and icing. Nacha takes samples to make sure the tears have not ruined it, she is found dead clutching a picture of her lost lover. At the wedding reception, people felt sad and heart sick from the cake(MR).
Tita must deliver Rosura's son Roberto because there wasn't a doctor available. During this, Nacha help to guide her in spirit(MR). Tita starts to produce breast milk to care for Roberto when Rosaura cannot (MR). Pedro brings roses to Tita for being the head cook for a year. While preparing dinner, Nacha coaches Tita on how to make Quail and a sauce with the rose petals. Tita cooks with sexuality and intense need for love for Pedro. During dinner Pedro feels what she put into it and calls it "The Nectar of the Gods". MaMa Elena calls it "too salty" so as not to agree. Gertrudis after eating takes off naked, jumps onto a horse with Juan, and makes out with him as they ride off to join the Mexican Revolution.(MR)
Pedro and Rosaura are forced to leave because MaMa Elena feels Pedro and Tita are becoming too close. She also doesn't like Tita caring so much for Roberto.
Word is sent that Roberto has died from lack of nutrition. Tita knows that it is because she could not breast feed him.
Tita then has a nervous breakdown and meets Dr. John Brown. He recovers her and have established a bond.They decide to marry even though Tita still loves Pedro. After learning there was an invasion of the ranch, Tita returns to care for her mother. MaMa Elena is downright evil to Tita and believes she is trying to kill her by poisoning the food. MaMa Elena takes an overdose of an emetic and dies. Tita believes she died from frustration of love, just like she is frustrated.
Rosaura births girl and wants to name it after Tita, she adamantly refuses. Rosaura also says that the baby, later named Esperanza, will have to take care of her in age due to tradition. Tita vows to not let it happen. Pedro and Tita make love after Pedro learns of her getting married. Tita believes she is pregnant. MaMa Elena's ghost appears and curses Tita for what she has done(MR).
Gertrudis comes home as a General. MaMa Elena appears again cursing Tita(MR).Tita finally stands up for herself and tells her mother to go away, and that she hates her. As her mother disappears she catches Pedro on fire(MR). Tita nurses Pedro back to health.
Tita tells John about losing her virginity and cancels the wedding. John still wants to marry her despite what happened.
22 years later Esperanza and Johns son, Alex, marry. Rosaura had died from G.I. problems. Tita and Pedro can finally be together without any complications. They make love and Pedro dies immediately from intense passion. Pedros' soul had returned to it's divine origin. Tita will not live without Pedro, so she eats matches and they spontaneously com bust consuming both of them. Their spirits are joined in a lighted tunnel, representing the eternity they will have together, finally. The ranch is destroyed completely, well almost. The daughter of Esperanza finds the recipe book with the story of their love.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Motorcycle Diaries
I really enjoyed this movie a lot, and I don’t understand why I’ve never heard of Ernesto “Che” Guevara. There are many scenes that display experiences that possibly shaped his personality as a future leader. You could tell immediately that Ernesto came from a very loving family. This may be why he was so emotional with the people he meets throughout the movie. Ernesto was one semester away from becoming a Dr. He and his friend, Alberto “Mial”Granado decide to go on a four month adventure to tour Latin America. Their main purpose of the adventure is tourism, but end up with intentions to work in a leper colony in Peru. The first stop along the way, they stay at Ernesto’s girlfriend’s house, Chechina, for eight days. Ernesto is very torn between his desires for her, and his calling to help the sick and poor. Chichina begs him to stay, and if so she will give her body to him. He gives her a puppy named Comeback, to remind her that he will be back. She gives him $15.00 to buy her some fancy panties. The men take off on “The Mighty One” that has many mechanical problems. The men, without any money sleep in barns along side of the help and in railway stations. Ernesto suffers his first asthma attack at the railway station. It is very severe and made me realize how terrible this disease is. I believe in the back of Ernesto’s head that this is one more reason to help the sick and impoverished. The men barely avoid many serious accidents as the travel along the coast of Chili. They see the poverty of the indigenous peasants. The movie starts to take a more serious note and the men now see very clearly the division in South America. The scene that stands out the most was the communist couple running from police for that reason. The couple has left their child with family to seek out work. Ernesto becomes very angry when the copper mine manager will not give the people water to drink. Another scene where Ernesto looks down onto a small boat, hitched to the back of a river ship with the poor. He observes and makes eye contact with the people. He is feeling saddened and angry for these impoverished people. Ernesto realizes there is a need for action. For three weeks Ernesto and Alberto work at the San Pablo leper colony. Ernesto sees the division of society. The staff lives on one side of the river and the 600 lepers live on the other. Ernesto, against the advice of a Doctor, refuses to wear gloves. He wants to be more personal with the lepers, and get a better understanding of their personality and illness. The men help the lepers build homes, garden, and tend to livestock. The lepers have formed their own community and Ernesto is taken by this coming together. He feels much compassion for them. Ernesto celebrates his 24th birthday and makes his 1st political speech! Despite another asthma attack, Ernesto decides to swim across the Amazon, which no one else has ever made to spend his last night with the lepers. He makes it and they celebrate. I believe this journey was a very important part of Ernesto’s life. He really got a true understanding of the diversion and injustice in Latin America, and the importance for a revolution. This conviction has given him something to fight for.
I really enjoyed this movie a lot, and I don’t understand why I’ve never heard of Ernesto “Che” Guevara. There are many scenes that display experiences that possibly shaped his personality as a future leader. You could tell immediately that Ernesto came from a very loving family. This may be why he was so emotional with the people he meets throughout the movie. Ernesto was one semester away from becoming a Dr. He and his friend, Alberto “Mial”Granado decide to go on a four month adventure to tour Latin America. Their main purpose of the adventure is tourism, but end up with intentions to work in a leper colony in Peru. The first stop along the way, they stay at Ernesto’s girlfriend’s house, Chechina, for eight days. Ernesto is very torn between his desires for her, and his calling to help the sick and poor. Chichina begs him to stay, and if so she will give her body to him. He gives her a puppy named Comeback, to remind her that he will be back. She gives him $15.00 to buy her some fancy panties. The men take off on “The Mighty One” that has many mechanical problems. The men, without any money sleep in barns along side of the help and in railway stations. Ernesto suffers his first asthma attack at the railway station. It is very severe and made me realize how terrible this disease is. I believe in the back of Ernesto’s head that this is one more reason to help the sick and impoverished. The men barely avoid many serious accidents as the travel along the coast of Chili. They see the poverty of the indigenous peasants. The movie starts to take a more serious note and the men now see very clearly the division in South America. The scene that stands out the most was the communist couple running from police for that reason. The couple has left their child with family to seek out work. Ernesto becomes very angry when the copper mine manager will not give the people water to drink. Another scene where Ernesto looks down onto a small boat, hitched to the back of a river ship with the poor. He observes and makes eye contact with the people. He is feeling saddened and angry for these impoverished people. Ernesto realizes there is a need for action. For three weeks Ernesto and Alberto work at the San Pablo leper colony. Ernesto sees the division of society. The staff lives on one side of the river and the 600 lepers live on the other. Ernesto, against the advice of a Doctor, refuses to wear gloves. He wants to be more personal with the lepers, and get a better understanding of their personality and illness. The men help the lepers build homes, garden, and tend to livestock. The lepers have formed their own community and Ernesto is taken by this coming together. He feels much compassion for them. Ernesto celebrates his 24th birthday and makes his 1st political speech! Despite another asthma attack, Ernesto decides to swim across the Amazon, which no one else has ever made to spend his last night with the lepers. He makes it and they celebrate. I believe this journey was a very important part of Ernesto’s life. He really got a true understanding of the diversion and injustice in Latin America, and the importance for a revolution. This conviction has given him something to fight for.
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