Screening between Friday 2nd and Thursday 15th January 2009 @ Watershed, Bristol

Che: The Argentine is part one of Steven Soderbergh’s meticulously researched double picture that ambitiously transports you into the worn, military boots of Che Guevara in the 1950s and 60s as he grows from charismatic doctor to heroic and symbolic revolutionary. The action in this first film follows Che, Fidel Castro and their comrades between 1956 and 1959 as they arrive in Cuba by sea and make their way to Havana through hundreds of miles of unrelenting jungle, mobilising an army along the way to topple the regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista.

The action is utterly riveting and inspiring and carries a fantastically interesting political undertone which is reinforced by black and white cut-away flash-forwards to Che making an appearance at the United Nations in 1964. This absorbing and engaging quality of the film is in a huge part down to leading actor Benicio Del Toro as a fantastically stern, determined and charismatic Guevara. Whenever he is on screen you are utterly captivated into the action as he fleshes out this world famous figure who we all know but few can actually remember what he did or what he was fighting for.

From Che sweatily struggling with his asthma up jungle mountains, to sharp military tactician, to arriving to a hero’s welcome in the many towns of Cuba, Del Toro is a fantastic watch as he portrays Che growing in stature, strength and notoriety across Cuba faster than his beard.

The action ends for Part One as the revolution’s army is on the road to an unguarded Havana and we are treated to a delicious reminder of Che’s strong, liberal morals; the audience leave completely fulfilled and also pinning for Part Two – out at Watershed on Friday 20th February 2009.

www.watershed.co.uk

Matthew Whittle www.matthewwhittleblog.blogspot.com