Steven Soderbergh is taking on one of the most commercially trivialized personalities of the 20th century at the Cannes Film Festival this weekend.
Yes, he's unveiling his 4 1/2 hour biopic on Ernesto "Che" Guevara -- doctor, philosopher, military strategist, revolutionary -- which is competing for the Palm d'Or (Soderbergh won the top prize at Cannes with his debut film sex, lies, and videotape).
Most people are familiar with the t-shirts. The iconic, expressionless, "Che" photo usually simplified to a two-tone red and black image. Take a look in any center of bohemian culture: college campus, coffeehouse, or rock club.... or other location that might attract young idealists and you're pretty much guaranteed to find the Che's image somewhere.
The kids (or the counterculture, capitalist moneymakers?) like to oversimplify the legend of Che as the rally cry for world revolution against imperialism. The reality is his legacy is much more complicated -- and flawed -- than a simple t-shirt can communicate. The fact is, he's been relegated to a fashion statement.
Perhaps that's why Soderbergh, when recently questioned about his film, responded sarcastically with, "It's all a very elaborate way for us to sell our own t-shirts".
I'm expecting a balanced and well told story of Che's life when we finally get to see Soderbergh's biopic in US theatres (provided that Washington doesn't stop distribution of the film as a violation of the Helms-Burton Act).
In my world, Soderbergh's film should be required viewing for all the wannabe, Che-wearing, leftist college kids.
Yes, he's unveiling his 4 1/2 hour biopic on Ernesto "Che" Guevara -- doctor, philosopher, military strategist, revolutionary -- which is competing for the Palm d'Or (Soderbergh won the top prize at Cannes with his debut film sex, lies, and videotape).
Most people are familiar with the t-shirts. The iconic, expressionless, "Che" photo usually simplified to a two-tone red and black image. Take a look in any center of bohemian culture: college campus, coffeehouse, or rock club.... or other location that might attract young idealists and you're pretty much guaranteed to find the Che's image somewhere.
The kids (or the counterculture, capitalist moneymakers?) like to oversimplify the legend of Che as the rally cry for world revolution against imperialism. The reality is his legacy is much more complicated -- and flawed -- than a simple t-shirt can communicate. The fact is, he's been relegated to a fashion statement.
Perhaps that's why Soderbergh, when recently questioned about his film, responded sarcastically with, "It's all a very elaborate way for us to sell our own t-shirts".
I'm expecting a balanced and well told story of Che's life when we finally get to see Soderbergh's biopic in US theatres (provided that Washington doesn't stop distribution of the film as a violation of the Helms-Burton Act).
In my world, Soderbergh's film should be required viewing for all the wannabe, Che-wearing, leftist college kids.
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