How accurate is Fresa Y Chocolate as a representation of the treatment of homosexuals by the Castro Regime?
How accurate is Fresa Y Chocolate as a representation of the treatment of homosexuals by the Castro Regime?
The 1959 revolution brought about perhaps the most considerable change the island of Cuba has ever seen in its recent history, causing a complete remodelling of everyday life. Under Castro’s rule, the new regime challenged old politics of the state and people by tackling issues such as race and gender. Though it may have taken a while for the government to successfully implement considerable changes, most got their starting point under the revolutionary wave due to the need to eradicate Cuba of its backwards thinking policies. One controversial topic however that should have been confronted yet was perhaps even supported to some extent, was homophobia. There are numerous theories as to why discrimination against homosexuals lasted so long whereas discrimination against black people for example, was an issue tackled immediately by the revolution. Twenty years later however and homosexuals in Cuba were still experiencing the discrimination from the state and its people. A film which attempts to portray this experience is ‘Fresa y Chocolate’ (Strawberries and Chocolate) which does so by touching upon topics of employment, culture and education regarding homosexual lifestyle in 1970s Cuba. This essay will discuss through examination to what extent is ‘Fresa y Chocolate’ an accurate depiction.
‘Fresa y Chocolate’ was directed in 1993 by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío; both of whom were familiar to the post-revolution Cuban film scene. The film centres around two main characters: Diego and David. Diego, played by Jorge Perugorría, is a gay individualist with a passion for the arts who falls in love with David, a stubborn but curious revolutionary, portrayed by Vladimir Cruz. The film is a story of acceptance between two men overcoming the limitations of society with David accepting Diego’s homosexuality and understanding the constraints which come
The 1959 revolution brought about perhaps the most considerable change the island of Cuba has ever seen in its recent history, causing a complete remodelling of everyday life. Under Castro’s rule, the new regime challenged old politics of the state and people by tackling issues such as race and gender. Though it may have taken a while for the government to successfully implement considerable changes, most got their starting point under the revolutionary wave due to the need to eradicate Cuba of its backwards thinking policies. One controversial topic however that should have been confronted yet was perhaps even supported to some extent, was homophobia. There are numerous theories as to why discrimination against homosexuals lasted so long whereas discrimination against black people for example, was an issue tackled immediately by the revolution. Twenty years later however and homosexuals in Cuba were still experiencing the discrimination from the state and its people. A film which attempts to portray this experience is ‘Fresa y Chocolate’ (Strawberries and Chocolate) which does so by touching upon topics of employment, culture and education regarding homosexual lifestyle in 1970s Cuba. This essay will discuss through examination to what extent is ‘Fresa y Chocolate’ an accurate depiction.
‘Fresa y Chocolate’ was directed in 1993 by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío; both of whom were familiar to the post-revolution Cuban film scene. The film centres around two main characters: Diego and David. Diego, played by Jorge Perugorría, is a gay individualist with a passion for the arts who falls in love with David, a stubborn but curious revolutionary, portrayed by Vladimir Cruz. The film is a story of acceptance between two men overcoming the limitations of society with David accepting Diego’s homosexuality and understanding the constraints which come