CHE, UN HOMBRE
NEUVO -- REVIEW
If you think
you know everything there is to know about this astounding
human being, take a look at this unique film and bear
witness to what 12 years of research on Ernesto Guevara
(Che) can yield. You will be amazed by the breadth and
brilliance of the man himself. His soul was sweet and
strong.
The
film reveals how Che was always searching for insight
into mankind's makeup. Photographing secret manuscripts
and documents encased in cabinets at the Bolivian Academy
of Military History, Bauer and his dedicated little team
unearth the most riveting and revealing aspects of this
hero -- that is before the Bolivian government realizes
it made a bureaucratic blunder, and instantly locks the
room up for good. Nonetheless, three important manuscripts
are photographed containing Che's poetic letters of love
to his wife, his philosophical writings and his personal
literary catalogues of world literature he never ceased
to read, even while spending some 16 months in Cuba's
Sierra Maestra mountains.
To hear the
man's own voice and see him in action is to bear witness
to his relentless humility, honesty and unflinching integrity
to help others suffering from domination by foreign and
local powers. He went deep into dangerous territory all
over the world; the film painstakingly documents this
with surprising detail. Despite his adventuresome spirit,
this often lonely leader had to deal with chronic asthma.
He likened it to a relationship that goes through good
and bad times. Still, he never wasted a moment in self-pity
or frivolity. By helping the oppressed, workers in the
fields and factories, the sickly, the poor, children and
the elderly, he discovered his true bent: "I am a
soldier and a doctor." But, as he evolved, he truly
became a model revolutionary oozing charm, compassion
and unmistakable humanity while still exercising consistency,
leadership and maintaining a sense of humour. A poet,
philosopher and care giver, he took his skills around
the world, helping fighters from other countries overthrow
megalomaniacal leaders whose self-interest deprived the
common man of the means to eat and work.
From South
Vietnam and Angola to Russia, China and so many other
nations, including the USA, Che imposes his political
wisdom into the hearts and minds of those present, regardless
of hostility. This lengthy film illustrates the beautiful
heart inside the child-like dreams that possessed Che.
Ernesto Guevara
-- his real name -- never swerved from his absolute belief
in man's desire to be free and kind to others. His mission
was that of trying to set into place governments that
would facilitate man’s longing for liberty. He believed
in the common man; his mission involved trudging for some
18 years through jungle, mud, rivers and swamps with his
own men and locals -- strangers following his side in
the hopes of unshackling their lives from dreadful injustices.
There are
so many memorable events that Che created for others,
and through this remarkable film, we come to know them,
and the man a little better. One can't help but honour
this hero. At 39, Che was murdered, yet the British photographer
who came to Bolivia to take pictures of his bullet-ridden
body attests to the fact that a brilliant light emanated
from his lifeless body. Indeed the photo shows his magnificent
eyes. They appear so loving and full of wonder. How tragic
that they will never see again. Give peace a chance was
his mission, and although many did not nor still do not
agree with his methods, the film, through Che's compassionate
speeches, explains how the leader justifies the necessity
of violence in specific circumstances. The world lost
a beautiful spirit, and this film will go a long way in
persuading you to see him as such.
