hugoimdb When we hear about Cuba, what usually comes to mind is its communist regime. It's one of the traits that distinguish the island from the other Caribbean and Latin American countries in general. Therefore, when talking about a Cuban film, it's quite tempting to make some political remarks. That is unavoidable with "Fresa y Chocolate", a 1993 film that's loaded with political content, but without a clear sense of ideological propaganda against or in favour of the system.The story begins when a university student member of the Communist Party meets a gay artist who doesn't like the regime. Davi, the communist boy, with the support of a roommate who's also a party member, decides to investigate the life of Diego, the political dissident, with the aim of denouncing him to the authorities. However, the relationship between the informal investigator and the suspect assumes unexpected features, giving place to a sincere friendship that leads the naive Davi to understand and to learn how to deal with the subversive differences represented by Diego.Some subtle criticisms are made about the regime, whose authoritarian nature is exemplified by the episode in which Diego tries to obtain a permit for an art exhibition. The harmless sculptures made by his friend Germán are banned, and Diego feels the reason for that is simple: works of art that are free of ideological propaganda in favour of the regime have no place in the island of Fidel Castro.At home, Diego often has to turn on the radio at a volume high enough so the neighbours won't be able to hear some of his conversations that might sound like defying the official ideology. It might be seen as a criticism against the lack of freedom of thought that's typical of authoritarian regimes, but it might also be interpreted as a proof of the high popular support for that same regime: even your neighbors collaborate with the authorities in the repression of political dissent.Nevertheless, there's also place for apologetic comments about the regime, as when Davi emphasizes the fact that he can go to university despite being the son of peasant parents.Leaving aside the political element, the human relationship between Diego and Davi unfolds in a captivating and convincing way. Davi is the typical straight guy who fears having his masculinity shaken by the contact with gay men. But little by little he lets his defences fall down until he's open enough for creating a trustful and intimate relationship with his new friend.Meanwhile, Diego is an effeminate man who has an intense love for art in general and shows an atypical erudition. At first, he shows a strong sexual interest in Davi, but he soon realizes that the young communist man is an irreversible straight guy and then he stops his flirtatious behaviour and chooses to build a disinterested friendship instead.Some moments make it clear that homosexuality is frowned upon by the official ideology. Homophobic remarks are often made by Davi's communist roommate. He's even "accused" of having an affair with Diego. Davi himself asks Diego why his family didn't take him to the doctor as a child so he could be cured from that "endocrinal disease". Diego laughs and says that being gay is something that has happened since the dawn of the world, and that it doesn't prevent him from being a decent and patriotic person. But Davi insists that homosexuality prevents him from being a revolutionary."Fresa y Chocolate" is at the same time enjoyable and thought- provoking, and gives us an opportunity to observe a portrait of the Cuban society from a surprisingly impartial perspective.

Sonofamoviegeek At first I thought that this was a Latin version of a typical gay film that comes out of the U.S. I couldn't have been more wrong. It's really a charming film about friendship that's difficult to achieve. "Why does sex always get in the way?" David asks. In other words, it's as difficult for a gay and straight man to develop a friendship as it is for a straight man and woman. Sounds a bit like dating and marriage, doesn't it? It's even more difficult when a government and friends interfere.At the beginning I was afraid that Diego would actually seduce David and voilà we have the usual gay film that I find boring. Instead, I really got to like Diego, much the same way he eventually charms David. That's getting involved with characters in a movie. Excellent performances by the two leads.The other performance that is compelling is that of Nancy (Mirtha Ibarra). I first saw Mirtha Ibarra in Guantanamara, a film that followed this by a year. In both films, she plays the older woman that every young man fantasizes about. Where was Mirtha Ibarra when I was David's age? I don't know how, if the Cuban regime is supposed to be so oppressive that they allowed this film to be made. Perhaps they wanted to show the "Yanquis" that it's possible to be critical of the government and still love one's country.This is a film that I will see twice.

Lee Eisenberg Knowing how the Cuban government suppressed homosexuality for so long, it's sort of surprising that they allowed a movie about it. But the movie ended up being quite good. Diego (Jorge Perugorria) is a student in 1979 Havana who hooks up with the aesthetic David (Vladimir Cruz), who turns out to be gay. Naturally, Diego is a little unnerved by this, but over time, he and David come to respect each other.One reason that "Strawberry and Chocolate" is especially good is because they never go overboard in trying to portray gay people. David is attracted to men, certainly, but he never does something like start dancing to a disco song suddenly. Quite an impressive movie.

esh04676 I agree with all the positive things already so well put forth by other reviewers and say that I liked this film a lot. Jorge Perugorria is incredible as the slightly "queenie" gay man. I have seen him in other films where is so different, as a very macho truck driver, for instance. Here he is the art and book lover and appreciator of good food and drink, as well as attractive young men. His "education" of the stern young Cuban Communist (an excellent Vladimir Cruz), a very straight man with intense emotional animosity toward gays, becomes a study in the resolution of human relationships triumphing over social and political obstacles.The comradely embrace of the two men , symbolizing their understanding and acceptance of each other despite superficial differences, was a masterstroke at the end of this fine film.