Probably the best Cuban movie and a must to have in your list.
Diego: No me voy de este pais ni aunque me den candela por el culo.A veces hay amistades que se desarrollan entre las personas más improbables, como la de David y Diego, dos cubanos que a pesar de tener la misma nacionalidad, no podrían ser más distintos. David es heterosexual, y es un seguidor ávido de la revolución, mientras que Diego es gay, y es hombre culto, con conocimientos de arte e historia. Su amistad tiene un comienzo dudoso, cuando Diego convence a David de que lo acompañe a su apartamento con la excusa de entregarle unas fotografías, pero lo que realmente quiere es seducirlo, y por supuesto que el encuentro termina mal. David termina volviendo a su casa, pero con la intención se sacarle información para exponerlo al gobierno y que lo deporten con traición a la patria. Estos encuentros se vuelven más frecuentes hasta que poco a poco empiezan a formar una amistad que va más allá de cualquier ideología.Esta es la única película cubana que ha sido nominada a un Oscar, y muestra una realidad distinta del país a la cual estamos acostumbrados, sobretodo viniendo de un país tan restringido. Fresa y Chocolate tiene una fuerte crítica hacia el gobierno y en general hacia la ideología dictatorial, y toca temas como los derechos de los homosexuales. A pesar de haber disfrutado esta película, encontré la relación entre los dos personajes explotativa, sobretodo al principio, y hubo momentos en los cuales me encontré incomoda al ver el comportamiento que tenía Diego hacía David. Me alegró ver que tomó la dirección correcta al final, pero igualmente me costó apoyar la amistad de estos dos, ya que los límites eran sobrepasados por Diego, y se comportaba de manera errática. Pero dejando esto de lado, la historia fue honesta y La Habana fue el escenario perfecto, con su arquitectura deteriorada y hermosa.
the best Cuban movie of the history
Though the gay character is pretty stereotypical, that can be forgiven somewhat since the movie was made in the early 90s. I imagine this was a pretty bold movie, particularly in Cuba, when it came out. Even now we rarely see anything with this depth in gay American cinema.
mmmmm chocolate!!! lol
With repression as the main focus of this film, Gutierrez shows us how even in the most conservative contexts, a true friendship can emerge and go beyond politics, arts or sexual orientation.
It's an okay movie, with highly-charged sexual and political themes. Definitely more of a drama than a comedy, though.
The first Cuban movie to receive Oscar Nomination for Best Foreign Film, it examines very important issues of tolerance, freedom of speech and friendship without becoming pedantic. The 3 leads are marvellous. A worthwhile view for anyone interested in Latin American Cinema, or quality cinema in general.
Loved this when I saw it. I wonder if I'd enjoy it as much. Would love to see it again.
Re-watching Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate) is yet another powerful trip down cinematic memory lane. I love this film, which illustrates the importance of being true to oneâ(TM)s self and desires, especially when in contexts where narrow notions of identity, sexuality, and patriotism are imagined and enforced. Fresa y Chocolate also proves the value of dialogue imbued with a willingness to love, empathize, and agree to disagree in central arguments such as âmistakes arenâ(TM)t the revolution, they are part of the revolution,â? but equally âwho pays for the mistakes?â?
This is good, but really boring.
3.5/5 Something fresh.
i liked how it portrayed gays in castro cuba
A beautiful film set in Cuba about love, sexuality, friendship and politics.
Très belle parabole, drôle et enlevée, sur l'imposture démocratique du régime castriste des 1990's (qui a dit actuel ?). Les répliques du touchant Diego (Jorge Perrugorra), qui a un faux air de Patrick Swayze, sont poignantes : Vous ne comprenez pas que sans moi, ils vous manquent une part essentielle, bande de... !
# Morango e Chocolate
A very moving piece about mutual understanding and acceptance. It's not only about different sexual or political orientations but more about how to embrace the passions and freedom of life. People don't always get what they want and often get afraid and anxious, but a hug is very likely all it takes to solve all the obstacles.
nominated for best foreign film by NBR and at the oscars
surely if this film was made in another homophobic country it would get one or two stars at most but the fact that it is Cuban, where it was seen as counter revolutionary got it nominated for an oscar in the best foreign language film category. It's entertaining and interesting for those interested in things that happen in Cuba but the story is a little weak really.
Only interesting thing about this movie was how it was filmed in Cuba and the local government funded, even though in some scenes, the movie seems to cristicize the Cuban political situation.
The first Cuban movie to receive Oscar Nomination for Best Foreign Film, it examines very important issues of tolerance, freedom of speech and friendship without becoming pedantic. The 3 leads are marvellous. A worthwhile view for anyone interested in Latin American Cinema, or quality cinema in general.
Gran obra del cine cubano
Una pelicula de lujo,veanla con el corazon.
Slight disappointment, I expected something more than just another movie about conversion of a young idealist.
Much less sophisticated than Alea's earlier Memories of Underdevelopment, and I didn't like how homosexuality was representated as flamboyant and predatory.
(from The Watermark 05/27/95) An interesting character study of a gay artist named Diego and a straight Communist college student named David who become unlikely friends during the potent political climate of Cuba in 1979.  Diego is first introduced as a shallow sex-obsessed queen and gradually becomes more sympathetic and human as we learn of his passion for his artistic mentors and disdain for the Cuban Communist rule. David begins the film with a typically heterosexual aversion to gays, but befriends Diego to find out if he and his art are any threat to the Communist government. As the two exchange their political views, they develop a genuine friendship and mutual understanding of each other, even though they are enemies in many respects.  Though it is anticlimactic, and not necessarily a ?must-see? film for gay American movie-goers, it is a well done work that shows the human side of politics that is all to frequently ignored. For viewers unfamiliar with Cuban history, much of the film may be lost because the ?system? in which Diego cannot function and which David wants to preserve is constantly referred to, but never actually shown. Cuban audiences already know their government, but Americans in many cases would be left guessing.
si hubiera mas estrellas se las iliminaba una de mis favoritas se las recomiendo.
i really didn't get this movie, i didn't think it was funny at all
Amiable characters and a pleasant tale of Cuban life, contrasting the young communist idealist with an older, gay intellectual artist.
MK 4/5: Re-release of Cuban film. About politics, sexuality, art.
A really sweet film, good to see it on day of Pride. Made in Cuba in 1993 and surprisingly sympathetic with main gay character/ critical of the regime. The daughter of raul Castro, who has done quite a lot to get the regime to be more tolerant, have a little speech at the beginning. She seemed really pleasant. It's on this week at the barbican, as part of Cuba50, so go if you can.
This is a masterpiece, both stylistically and thematically. A discourse on life indulgence versus social consciousness, art versus politics, sexuality versus friendship, beauty versus ugliness, logic versus madness, cultural identity versus alienation, and all the nuances in between. A poem of a film that explores the most fundamental issues of human existence, with perhaps the most sympathetic characters I have seen in a film. A real hymn to life, cuban and universal.
Interesante historia sobre la tolerancia y las relaciones humanas con mucha influencia del cine de Pedro Almodovar y con actuaciones decentes. No es el clasico Memorias Sobre el Subdesarrollo, pero es una buena cinta.
Pasa, por tener una gran actuacion por parte de Jorge Perugorria.
Havana, 1979. David, a young student takes Vivian, his girlfriend, to a shabby hotel with the intention of making love. Disgusted with where he has brought her, under the initial pretence of going to the cinema, she refuses. The following scene is at Vivianâ??s wedding to another man, where David is a crestfallen spectator. He visits a bar, where he catches the eye of Diego, an overtly gay student, who attempts to pick David up by inviting him back to his apartment where he has photographs of David performing in a university play. Diego deliberately spills coffee on David to force him to remove his shirt then David hastily leaves.Miguel, Davidâ??s room-mate, suggests that David return to Diegoâ??s apartment and befriend him in order to keep an eye on Diegoâ??s potentially subversive activities, such as the art exhibition he is planning to put on. David and Diego debate their respective positions as staunch Communist and persecuted homosexual alike but form a genuine friendship. Diegoâ??s neighbour Nancy, a suicidal former prostitute falls in love with David, who returns her feelings. Miguel arrives at Diegoâ??s apartment, informing Diego that he intends to see that David is expelled from university for consorting with Nancy and asks Diego to a sign a document to assist him. Diego refuses. A defeated Diego informs David that he intends to leave Cuba and that he loves him. They embrace.Tomas Gutiérrez Alea has been the most potent chronicler of post-revolutionary events in Cuba, documenting the experience of the Castro regime upon ordinary Cubans in such films as â??Death of a Bureaucratâ?? (1966), a satire upon Communist red-tape and â??Memories of Underdevelopmentâ?? (1968), which reflected on the social changes from revolution until the late 1960s. Although his subsequent films didnâ??t acquire quite the same attention as these two previous films, the final phase of his film making career was spent mentoring young and aspiring Cuban directors. The most widely known example is â??Strawberry and Chocolateâ??, a collaboration with Juan Carlos Tabio, which came about due to the Aleaâ??s ill-health. The film has been controversial because itâ??s the film Cuban film that deals directly, and with some honesty, about the gay experience under Castro. It was also the first film to receive significant exposure in the USA, marketed and distributed by Miramax, and it was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (it lost out to the Russian film â??Burnt By The Sunâ??).The entire set-up of â??Strawberry and Chocolateâ?? sounds like it could very easily descend into sentimental schmaltz; a young idealistic, pro-Castro student meets a defiantly gay student and despite their differences and polarised opinions, a friendship develops. Itâ??s to the directorsâ?? credit that this narrative becomes not just believable but also moving. We genuinely care about these two young men, initially drawn to the other through self-interest (Diego wishes to pick David up, David is determined to observe for any suspicious activities) but finding a common ground and shared love of their homeland.The main difference between David and Diego is not directly political but a matter of sexuality. David might be loyal to the regime that has provided him, a labourerâ??s son, an education that he probably otherwise would not have received, but Diegoâ??s politics are practically defined by his sexuality. To be homosexual automatically makes one a dissident, whether one wishes to be or not. Diego never expresses much in the way of vocal disobedience towards the regime but heâ??s considered worth being kept under surveillance because of his sexuality. Alea and Tabio are refreshingly honest about the shocking record of Castroâ??s Cuba towards gay rights. Gay Cubans had been imprisoned in UMAP labour camps without trial for â??re-educationâ?? and â??rehabilitationâ?? for decades, famously documented in the experience of Reinaldo Arenas, about whom the film â??Before Night Fallsâ?? (2000) was based.Homosexuality was finally decriminalised in 1979, the year the film is set, yet with this knowledge, one can easily imagine what fate might befall Diego. Such are the prospects that Diego seems willing to leave Cuba by the filmâ??s dénouement, though itâ??s left sufficiently ambivalent after his fraternal embrace with David. Alea and Tabio make Diego an articulate spokesperson for homosexuals in Cuba, explaining that he understands many of the merits of the revolution but that this society automatically rejects him as a person and decides him to be â??sickâ??. If he is unfaithful to his own sex, then surely he is unfaithful to the revolution? That Diego confronts Davidâ??s prejudices and elicits a sense of understanding and compassion from him hints at a more optimistic era for homosexuals in Cuba, further reinforced by the fact that â??Strawberry and Chocolateâ?? was made with 15 years of hindsight.Where â??Strawberry and Chocolateâ?? arguably suffers most is regarding character development. The filmâ??s chief protagonists are largely cardboard cut-outs, stereotypes - David, the straight, macho idealist (with Miguel even more so), Diego, the enlightened, cultured and exceptionally flamboyant homosexual, and Nancy, the ex-prostitute with a heart of gold, who pursues David, which is of course the only kind of relationship that Diego would accept for David, given that his own love for him is unrequited. That said, if David and Diego represent polarised opinions in the debate on homosexuality in Cuba, then perhaps they donâ??t have to become fully fleshed out characters - it renders the film a little one-dimensional however.Nevertheless, â??Strawberry and Chocolateâ?? is an undeniably brave film, tackling issues that would normally be taboo in Cuban society and the directorsâ?? humanistic vision of a Cuba where sexual, if not political, differences are accepted is both heartfelt and convincing. Whilst sex might have been the prime focus during the start of the film; Davidâ??s own lust for Vivian or Diegoâ??s attempts to seduce the clearly heterosexual David, this quickly gives way to a wider curiosity about the things that make us different - David for instance sees contemporary Cuba through a different set of eyes, notably in a rooftop scene across Havana where Diego gives a real state of the nation address. Davidâ??s confidence in the success of the revolution is a little shaken and no doubt he would work towards something better, something different. â??Strawberry and Chocolateâ?? isnâ??t simple moralising though, but a profound look at Castroâ??s Cuba as shown through a moving friendship
This was my first Cuban movie ever and it was really good....I have a lot to say about it, but I can put it all in a few words:The Cuban cinema seems wonderful and daring!!!
Magical. Vision of friendships that cross barriers.
A small sweet film, a major indictment of live under a totalitarian regime.
A very sympathetic and daring comedy about the unlikely kinship between a totalitarian youth and a free spirited gay man. The dialog is very funny at times, and more importantly raises some very poignant questions about life and politics.
las diferencias que nos hacen únicos no deberían de separarnos
One of three foreign-language (Spanish) films I finished viewing (way back in college during a summer break, I was up 2am with nothing to do). The other two were Pan's Labyrinth which was also very good, and Like Water for Chocolate which I found very girly and I watched it only because we were required to do so for my Humanities class.
No thankyou - Not interested
I don't know where i saw this first, but i was completely taken up in the lives of these complex and truly lovely characters. Jorge Perugorria is fantastic, and Mirta Ibarra is a tragically comic presence. It's a triumph of art speaking the great truths of love and freedom and honor among friends, even in a most repressive environment.I love it!
interesante y entretenida... se puede percibir el calor humano, tan propio del pueblo hermano cubano, a traves de sus personajes y la ambientacion... muy buena
Me parecio una buena pelicula, anque esperaba que David se enamora de Diego... pero salio mejor como terminaba y las descuciones que tenian fueron muy interesantes...
touching movie. great performance by all the three main characters.
el tema de la homosexualidad en cuba,y sus prejuicios
Sweet and funny Cuban film, with some serious underlying politics. Charming and enjoyable. Pllus I've been to the apartment where it was filmed!
A great film! I would have given it 4 stars had I seen it when it came out but compared to present day films it was a bit too sappy for my taste.
This movie is really funny!
Not at all interested
I found there to be a lot of gay stereo-typing in this movie...
Excellent Cuban film that is surprisingly critical of the Castro regime, considering it had partial financing of the Cuban government itself. Nevertheless, really funny and interesting.
a funny, touching and powerful story about cultural passion and human understanding amidst revolution in Cuba. This tells the story of the friendship between a gay artist and a straight, communistic student in Cuba in 1979. Often funny, with many great moments of laughter, this also finds its way in being a powerful film. Jorge Perugorria is funny and splendid as Diego, the gay artist fighting to have his voice heard when every exhibit he creates is shut down and censored for its political subject, and Vladimir Cruz is superb and memorable as David, the character who changes the most throughout the film. Mitra Ibarra also gives a strong and funny performance as Diego's superstitious neighbor. The scenery capturing Havana is also beautiful. A winner of a film and a notable addition in Latin cinema.
Una muy buena pelicula acerca de la vida de los cubanos. Nos muestra la dificil vida en ese pais y lo importante que resulta ser la amistad de un homosexual y sus ideas a un joven universitario. Con el toque latino!
Está mas o menos...
An interesting and enjoyable film, suddenly topical thanks to Castro's stepping-down. I hadn't seen any other films by Tomas Gutierrez Alea but will definitely search them out. Interesting to see how critical a film made in Cuba could be of the regime.
I am sure I have seen it in part long time ago. Must see it again!
Held my attention, but wasn't all that amazing.
Very well done movie. I like the way they approach the problems on socialist Cuba. I fell in love of Havana with this film.
mmmmm chocolate!!! lol
don't let the cover fool you, the film plays out a few rather deep themes. and as can be expected of the duo behind it, beautifully shot.
Controversial... comunismo y homosexualidad en la misma pelicula... quien se fuera a imaginar!!
With no fears of being taken as a nationalist supporter, this film from my country: Cuba, it is little jewel. It talked mainly to us all cubans, living in a different enclosed world where the mosticredible intolerances to that one different to the rest, still preveals. Luckely it will have a little to say to all people because its message of love and friendship could actually be an universal language. Surprisingly well acted and evethough the tempo might be slow, the end of the film will catch you sheading a tear while similing. I highly recomend it!
I hear this was an important politcal film. It's also legitimatley entertaining.
I have no idea what this movie is all about - fell asleep and I was not inspired to even try to see it again
funny, realistic, and with a message
Very important film. Reveals the daily ideological struggles of Cubans. Speaks of the importance of original thoughts, knowledge and questioning society's rules as oppose to being a YES-MAN.
Tomas Gutierrez Alea's next to last film is brilliant. The actors are brilliant, as the effemenant homosexual plays a convinvcng womanizer in Alea's last film! Great acting and lights, brillant directing and storytelling.
Der wohl berühmteste kubanische Film, der je gedreht wurde und einziger kubanischer Oscar-Anwärter. Tomás Gutiérrez Alea ist, was kubanisches Kino angeht, bisher ungeschlagen. Gut, dass hier ausnahmsweise auch Nicht-Heteros eher auf ihre Kosten kommen als es sonst im kubanischen Kino der Fall ist.
Hermosa pelicula sobre la amistad a pesar del antagonismo ideologico en la Cuba de Castro.
Una de las mejores producciones del cine cubano.
I just love this movie. I saw it a long time ago and it is still one of my favorites
A sedate film that remains intriguing due to its strong script and curious theme. The film is quite poetic by its end, and given how the film seemed to be going, the path it actually took was pleasantly surprising in its ability to steer clear from melodrama.
Contrary to the description of a corny nothing film on its cover, this movie is strikingly poignant. It reveals some major issues of revolutionary Cuba and presents an interesting story.
OK the production values are not great - but at least Castro is not exterminating the homos in this film. It has its sweet and tender moments.
rohkeaa kuubalaista elokuvaa
Buenisima pelicula, trata sobre un joven militante de las juvetudes comunistas de Cuba que conoce a un escritor gay. El escritor le sirve de mentor para desarrollar su arte mientras libra la batalla contra un gobierno represor.
Tykkään kovasti. Voin suositella lämpimästi myös Laura Esquivelin kirjaa, johon elokuva perustuu. Soveltuu kaikille nautinnon maksimoijille.
i thought it was weird at the beginning, but i ended up liking it
Hilarious. Viva Cuba!
What a great way to revist Havana. There is truly no other city like it. The film is also an accurate portrayal of censure. Although it is set in the late 70s-early 80s its content is equally applicable to how things were in the early 1990s.
I ended up not understanding what was the most important. It tries to develop two parallel stories without ever going deep in either one. Overall quite disappointed.
I fell in love with all things Cuban.
I had my best fun acting from this screen play aye una fresa
Lethargic comedy about a conservative college student who gets mentored by a gay critic of communism. Somewhat well written, with some good performances, but the film moves so slow that it while it entertains, fails to impress
muy buena esta pelicula...
if you are raced in cuba . you will l.y.a.o. with this movie is everything you always lived in, the machoman side and the prejudices of the politics
I do not know how many times I have seen it. And soon I will need to see it again. Just to feel engaged and to get that feeling of clean and happy.
A powerful movie. In this movie a man becomes a friend with his enemy. He is able to see his enemy as a real person. We need more examples of this in the world.
i absolutely adored this movie. Extremely intelligent and extremely real. It makes you face a harsh reality, but gives you hope that things could change if ppl could just be a bit more open minded and see the bigger picture. Don't close urself to what's different... u never know what u might find... it could change ur life
Cuban awesome movie, i can watch it again and again
Communism sucks, so does Castro.
The ending makes me cry every time I watch the film!
Nice film about an unlikely frindship
Fresa y Chocolate!! en esta pelicula conoci a Jorge Perugorria, y me volvi fan de el!!!
The movie title interest me.
one of the most romantic movies ever! really cute movie:))
Cute movie! Very intelligent, but light hearted...it takes deeper issues and deals with them in a fluffy type of way.
buena película, pero sobrevalorada en el extranjero tal vez por haberse distribuido bien en el circuito comercial
This sums up all the beauty, contradiction and frustration of Cuba - and the acting is amazing.
A non cliché story about Cuban oppression.
simply love the story! very funny yet thought provoking...
Maravillosa ... this movie tells you about Cuba, its people, politics and the luck to find friends after leaving prejudices behind you.
An excellent movie which has a special historical importance to Cuba because it came out right at the time when work was being started in that country to begin fighting homophobia. I believe it was the same year that drag queens actually marched at the front of the May Day parade. At any rate, the work has paid off as the National Assembly of People's Power is currently in the process of legalizing same sex partnerships, putting Cuba years ahead of the vast majority of the worlds countries on this issue. A must see movie.
un choque entre el machismo cubano y la libertad de un homosexual crean la receta para el cambio, exelente
couldn't finish it. to slow and boring, but the concept was intersting non the less.
very good, and quite funny. Interessting taste of Cuba
It became the pioneer by opening a small door for the gay people in the back then too machista Cuba...The dialogs and lines, the actors, the city of Havana and its situations and the way they're described, and the sensitivity of the message make this a masterpiece of Cuban cinema...
Socially significant, but I didn't make friends with the characters the way I would have liked.
una de mis peliculas favoritas, un ejemplo de el talento cinematografico cubano
This is a must see movie. It's cuban and well done. It touches on the like of a gay man in a communist society. The actors are superb and the story amazing.
I saw this one as part or an independent study for Spanish. It wasn't the best movie that I've seen, but it still enthralled me.
it mentions Communism and Cuba so gets my attention.
Te invita a la mesa de discusion. Muy buena historia
Tremenda pelicula. One of my favorite Cuban flicks.
Amazing story! It showcases so many different views of Cuba without being preachy.The interaction among the 3 main characters is pure chemistry.
Saw it in spanish class, all I have to say is the cover makes it look a lot funnier than it was
Discusses the unlikelihood of a friendship between a straight man and a gay man in Communist Cuba.
A great story about the Cubans. David did a great job as a gay. I personally prefer chocolate :)
There were some odd random scenes of hate that didn't add or need to be in this otherwise good film.
Find this movie and watch it. Wonderful story about ideals adn compassion..
brill.......................
i love this movie one of my favoratesssss
A Cuban delightful love story with a gay theme. Excellent! And the appartment used in the film is now one of the best restaurants in Havana!
One of the most sensitive films I have ever seen. New in this site. Is quit old but please see it whenever you have the chance
Its subject now reveals itself as political and social freedom in Castro's Cuba and this is what makes it an intelligent companion piece to Memories of Underdevelopment, Alea's earlier film.
While the central story may lack edge, 'Strawberry and Chocolate' remains an entertaining, thoughtful take on the absurdity of confusing sexuality and politics.
A clear call for tolerance, deftly executed by a director for whom the personal and the political were indivisible.
It's a clear-eyed critique of the revolution's treatment of gay Cubans and, as such, it's a brave and important piece of film-making.
Watching his funny and likeable Havana-set comedy is like chancing upon some undiscovered early gem by Godard or Woody Allen, and yet it has a worldliness and drollery that is all its own.
It's rather long-winded and the politics are pretty boring to an outsider.
A superb Cuban film from 1993, a little classic about gay freedom and its aspirations versus Fidel Castro and his Marxist straitjacketing.
It verges on the preachy, but it's a generous and intriguing film.
Strawberry & Chocolate (Fresa y Chocolate) has a special place in cinema history.
The film's premise (friendship between a straight and gay man) may be familiar, but set in Cuba the tale's particular context adds freshness and political alertness, resulting in a charming film with a quasi-hopeful message
Intelligent political drama
This first gay filmic offering from Cuba actually plays a good deal better than it sounds.
Beautiful.