Strawberry and Chocolate

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Strawberry and Chocolate

R

1994

1h 48m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In 1979 Cuba, flamboyant gay artist Diego (Jorge Perugorría) attempts to seduce the straight and strait-laced David (Vladimir Cruz), an idealistic young communist, and fails dismally. But David conspires to be "friends" with Diego so he can monitor the artist's subversive life for the state. As Diego and David discuss politics, individuality and personal expression in Castro's Cuba, a genuine friendship develops between the two. Can it last in such an oppressive environment?

Critics Consensus

Strawberry and Chocolate movingly depicts the budding relationship between two men against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in Cuban history.

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Robert Horton

Film Comment Magazine

04/10/2018

Truth be told, I sat there and chuckled warmly in all the right spots, and felt delight in the stubbornly stylish central character.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

07/03/2009

4/5

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.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

07/03/2009

4/5

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.

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Jon Fortgang

Film4

07/03/2009

3.5/5

A clear call for tolerance, deftly executed by a director for whom the personal and the political were indivisible.

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03/11/2021

Me gusta esta película porque empujó los límites del cine. Mientras estaba mirando pensé que era una película controvertida porque tenía temas de la política y la sexualidad. La película fue interesante y no me aburre. Sin embargo es posible que muchas personas no vayan a entender el mensaje. Me gustó la película porque fue interesante. Durante la película, hay temas que implicaban las políticas de Cuba. Aunque Diego era homosexual, David de todos modos lo quería. Sin embargo, David también quería a Nancy aunque David estaba enamorado de Diego. Nancy y Diego estaban enamorados de David.

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04/08/2019

It is the best Cuban film, or at least, one of the beast.

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Fong Kok Hoong F

@RT29722865 01/23/2019

This Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film tells a lovely friendship that blooms between an orthodox Marxist university student and a free-spirited homosexual artist when a seduction of the flesh alchemizes into an education on acceptance and understanding in a homophobic regime of Fidel Castro.

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Tim G

@tmgreene22 01/13/2018

Some of the political subtext I'm sure I missed but still a well-done examination of the development of a friendship under unusual circumstances.

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01/26/2017

One of the most incredible movies ever made, about how the people can accepted each other even when they are very different kind of thinking.

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01/14/2016

Probably the best Cuban movie and a must to have in your list.

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Tomás Gutiérrez Alea

Director

Juan Carlos Tabío

Director

Jorge Perugorría

Diego

Vladimir Cruz

David

Mirta Ibarra

Nancy

Francisco Gattorno

Miguel

Seven Hispanic Critics Open Up About Movies that Made a Major Impact On Their Lives

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Synopsis

In 1979 Cuba, flamboyant gay artist Diego (Jorge Perugorría) attempts to seduce the straight and strait-laced David (Vladimir Cruz), an idealistic young communist, and fails dismally. But David conspires to be "friends" with Diego so he can monitor the artist's subversive life for the state. As Diego and David discuss politics, individuality and personal expression in Castro's Cuba, a genuine friendship develops between the two. Can it last in such an oppressive environment?

Director: Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío
Screenwriter: Senel Paz
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 1994, Original
Box Office (Gross USA): $268.8K
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Stereo