Cuba: Strawberry and Chocolate (1994)

Strawberry and Chocolate is a powerful movie that dares to  deal with the theme of homosexuality back in the day when it was strongly condemn by most of the world specially in latin cultures. 

The story takes place in La Havana, Cuba in 1970. It focuses on David, a homophobic college student, for whom the concepts of right and wrong are put into dilemma when he becomes friends with Diego (Jorge Perugorria), a gay artist. 

Although developed in a totally sexist society, the film focuses on the relationship between these two men and how what in the beginning was a feeling of disrespect and antagonism from David to Diego, turns around to a relationship of admiration and tolerance.

David is a revolutionary and also a college student in Havana. One day while eating chocolate ice cream he is interrupted by Diego, a gay artist in his 40 who is clearly gay and prefers a strawberry ice cream. David flirts with Diego, and regardless to Diego’s denial, he convinces him to come to his apartment to pick up some pictures that David took of him while acting on a play. In the apartment while looking for the pictures Diego is captivated by  David’s way of living. The artist has foreign literature which is banned in Cuba and Diego is very interested in Literature. He also has many religious paintings and an interesting conversation. 

David leaves the place when he realizes that Diego plans to do an art show with the help of a foreign embassy, because he thinks that such action is counter-revolutionary.

David goes in search of his revolutionary friend Miguel and tells him what had happened at the home of Diego. Miguel is a prejudiced man and according to him the revolution was not fought for homosexuals. Therefore, Miguel wants to compromise Diego, and suggests David to visit more often Din order to get more information and evidence. 

However, these visits transform the relationship between Diego and David as they unexpectedly become very good friends. By knowing more about about Diego, David starts to value him as a person and starts to put aside their differences. In the end of the movie, politics are stronger and Diego is forced to leave the island of Cuba, but the transformation both Diego and David experience through their friendship gives a lot of value to the story.

The most important theme of the story is how prejudice can be overcome by getting to know people at a deeper level. People are so used to judging other s by their preferences without realizing that they have so much to offer regardless of their personal choices and tastes.

I believe Strawberry and Chocolate is a perfect name for this film. It portrays perfectly the fact that people have different tastes an some like strawberry ice cream better than the chocolate one but that doesn’t make them better than the other.

People nowadays are starting to become more opened about homosexuality and that is a great advance. It would be so important to strive to teach people and specially children about acceptance an tolerance. Discrimination needs to be abolished forever so the world can live in peace.

Wonderful story! Great message!!