Strawberry and Chocolate

Strawberry and Chocolate is a movie directed by Tomas Gutierrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabio. Strawberry and Chocolate came out in 1993, but takes place in Havana Cuba in 1979.  Vladamir Cruz is one of the two lead parts, he plays David.  David is a communist who's faith is at first with his country and its strict beliefs.  Jorge Perugorria plays Diego, a homosexual artist who feels constricted by the irrational thoughts of his fellow countrymen and women.  The two first meet at at a small outdoor eatery.  Diego attempts to seduce David, but David is very turned off by this.  Diego then uses the lure of banned books to attempt to get David into his house.  After a few minutes of very awkward interaction David gets his book and gets out.  He goes to his dorm room and show his roommate the book.  They come up with a plan where they will get proof that Diego is a traitor to their country and turn him in to the authorities.  David visits Diego many times.  He first has the intention of getting him arrested, then he grows curious.  David has never met a gay man before, or a man that has so many items disallowed by the government.  During their meetings at Diego's house they have conversations and debates about politics, literature and sexuality.  Diego's suicidal neighbor falls in love with David, and everything seems to be shaping up well.  There were a few spats between David and his roommate, but they never amounted to much.  The interactions just brought to light the struggles of a gay man in Cuba.  Diego creates statues with his gay friend but tempers rise over what their next step should be.  After heated arguments his friend smashes Diego's statues though tears and high pitched screams.  Diego then decides to take his art, and his artistic skills to the United States.  He leaves David and his neighbor but they are all in good spirits.  David and Diego learned that their is good in people you at first wouldn't suspect.  

         A theme in this movie is how opposites attract.  David and Diego were opposites in this movie.  They had opposite views in politics, and in sexual preference.  They met by chance, and ended up becoming very good friends.  They didn't agree on writing style but David eventually lets Diego edit his writings.  They talked to each other and learned that there wasn't much separating them even though they had different likes and dislikes.

I did not enjoy this movie because 1979 Cuba does not really interest me.  The movie was well made and had an original plot, but I did not really love the movie.  I also found the interaction with David and Diego in the begging of the film to be all too awkward.  I suppose that is a compliment to their acting ability, but I i really felt their awkward vibe.