The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) Diarios de motocicleta (original title)

Director:

Walter Salles

Writers (WGA):

Ernesto 'Che' Guevara (book)
Alberto Granado (book)
Jose Rivera (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 September 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Before he changed the world the world changed him

Plot:

The dramatization of a motorcycle road trip Che Guevara went on in his youth that showed him his life's calling.

Plot Keywords:

Motorcycle | Friend | Che Guevara | Diary | Leper Colony

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 26 wins & 37 nominations

Cast

Gael García Bernal	...	Ernesto Guevara de la Serna (Argentina)
Rodrigo De la Serna	...	Alberto Granado (Argentina)
Mercedes Morán	...	Celia de la Serna (Argentina)
Jean Pierre Noher	...	Ernesto Guevara Lynch (Argentina) (as Jean-Pierre Noher)
Lucas Oro	...	Roberto Guevara (Argentina)
Marina Glezer	...	Celita Guevara (Argentina)
Sofia Bertolotto	...	Ana María Guevara (Argentina) (as Sofía Bertolotto)
Franco Solazzi	...	Juan Martín Guevara (Argentina)
Ricardo Díaz Mourelle	...	Uncle Jorge (Argentina) (as Ricardo Diaz Mourelle)
Sergio Boris	...	Young Traveler (Argentina)
Daniel Cargieman	...	Young Traveler (Argentina) (as Daniel Kargieman)
Diego Giorzi	...	Rodolfo (Argentina)
Facundo Espinosa	...	Tomás Granado (Argentina)
Matias Gomez	...	Kid (Argentina) (as Matías Gómez)
Diego Treu	...	Kid (Argentina)
Ariel Verdun	...	Kid (Argentina) (as Ariel Verdún)
Mía Maestro	...	Chichina (Argentina)
Gustavo Mansilla	...	Kid (Argentina)
Susana Lanteri	...	Aunt Rosana (Argentina)
Natalia Lobo	...	La Negra (Argentina)
Maida Andrenacci	...	Chichina's Friend (Argentina) (as Maída Andrenacci)
Bárbara Lombardo	...	Chichina's Friend (Argentina)
Dana Frijoli	...	Chichina's Friend (Argentina)
Valeria Echeverria	...	Chichina's Friend (Argentina) (as Valeria Echeverría)
Ariel Prieto	...	Chichina's Friend (Argentina)
Matías Strafe	...	Chichina's Friend (Argentina)
Nicolas Watson	...	Chichina's Friend (Argentina) (as Nicolás Watson)
Carlos Rivkin	...	Horacio Ferreyra (Argentina)
Elvio Suarez	...	Uncle Martín (Argentina) (as Elvio Suárez)
Pablo Villarrazza	...	Esteban Aguirre (Argentina)
Liliana Kolinsky	...	Chichina's Mother (Argentina)
Guillermo Ojeda	...	Men with Oxen Cart (Argentina)
Oscar Alegre	...	Don Olate (Argentina)
Fernando Llosa	...	Von Puttkamer (Argentina) (as Fernando Ignacio Llosa)
Marta Lubos	...	Schatzie von Puttkamer (Argentina)
Cristián Chaparro	...	Luna (Chile) (as Cristian F. Chaparro)
Cristian Arancibia	...	Tulio (Chile)
Gabriela Aguilera	...	Piedad (Chile)
Juan Maliqueo	...	Araucano Father (Chile)
Samuel Cifuentes	...	Araucano Son (Chile)
Constanza B. Majluf	...	Chilean Sister (Chile)
Evelyn Ibarra	...	Chilean Sister (Chile)
Victor Hugo Ogaz	...	Young Man (Chile) (as Víctor Hugo Ogaz)
Fernando Farías	...	Fire Chief (Chile) (as Fernando Farias)
Maximiliano Toledo	...	Ca±aco (Chile)
César López	...	Fireman (Chile) (as César Lopez)
Pablo Macaya	...	Janitor (Chile)
Rosa Curihuentro	...	Doña Rosa (Chile)
Erto Pantoja	...	Mechanic (Chile)
Vladimir Paredes	...	Truck Driver (Chile)
Brandon Cruz	...	Miner (Chile)
Vilma M. Verdejo	...	Miner's Wife (Chile)
Jaime Azócar	...	Mine Foreman (Chile) (as Jaime Azocar)
Maria Esther Zamora	...	Chipi Chipi Band Singer (Chile) (as María Esther Zamora)
Pollito Gonzalez	...	Chipi Chipi Band Pianist (Chile)
Jorge Lobos	...	Chipi Chipi Band Percussionist / Trumpeter (Chile)
Cuti Aste	...	Chipi Chipi Band Clarinetist / Accordionist (Chile)
Roberto Lindl	...	Chipi Chipi Band Double Bass Player (Chile)
Gustavo Morales	...	Félix (Peru)
Gustavo Bueno	...	Dr. Hugo Pesce (Peru)
Maria Beatriz Abele	...	Zdenka Pesce (Peru) (as María Beatriz Abele)
Jonathan Balbis	...	Luis Pesce (Peru)
Matias Delgado Rizzi	...	Tito Pesce (Peru) (as Matías Delgado Rizzi)
Jorge Rodríguez Paz	...	Peruvian from Canepa (Peru)
Jackelyne Vásquez	...	Luz (Peru)
Ernesto Cabrejos	...	Card Player (Peru)
Víctor Ángeles	...	Card Player (Peru)
Willy Gutiérrez	...	Card Player (Peru)
Gerald Mayeux	...	Card Player (Peru)
Matías Gomez	...	Card Player (Peru)
Jorge Chiarella	...	Dr. Bresciani (Peru)
Ricardo Velásquez	...	Banca (Peru)
Carolina Infante	...	Sister Margarita (Peru)
Nidia Bermejo	...	Young Indian Nurse (Peru)
Carlos 'Caitro' Soto de la Colina	...	Papa Carlito (Peru)
Delfina Paredes	...	Mother Sister Alberto (Peru)
Nemesio Reyes	...	Leper from San Pablo (Peru)
Hernan Herrera	...	Leper from San Pablo (Peru) (as Hernán Herrera)
Antonella Costa	...	Silvia (Peru)
Igor Calvo	...	Dr. Souza Lima (Peru)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alberto Granado	...	Himself (uncredited)
Gustavo Pastorini	...	Passenger (uncredited)

Directed by
Walter Salles

Writing credits (WGA)
Ernesto 'Che' Guevara		(book "Notas de viaje") (as Ernesto Guevara)
Alberto Granado		(book "Con el Che por America Latina")
Jose Rivera		(screenplay)

Produced by
Daniel Burman	....	co-producer
Diego Dubcovsky	....	co-producer
Mónica Lima	....	assistant producer
Michael Nozik	....	producer
Robert Redford	....	executive producer
Edgard Tenenbaum	....	producer
Karen Tenkhoff	....	producer
Paul Webster	....	executive producer
Rebecca Yeldham	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Gustavo Santaolalla

Cinematography by
Eric Gautier

Film Editing by
Daniel Rezende

Casting by
Walter Rippell

Production Design by
Carlos Conti

Art Direction by
Coca Oderigo
Laurent Ott
Maria Eugenia Sueiro

Set Decoration by
Carlos Conti

Costume Design by
Beatriz De Benedetto
Marisa Urruti

Makeup Department
Marisa Amenta	....	makeup artist
Karina Arbulú	....	assistant makeup artist: Peru
Katerine Astete	....	key makeup artist
Esther Barbieri	....	assistant hair stylist
Laura Borselli	....	special makeup effects artist
Jana Carboni	....	special makeup effects artist
Araceli Farace	....	assistant makeup artist
Ariel Godoy	....	assistant hair stylist
Sebastián Molchasky	....	special makeup effects artist
Marisol Ortega	....	assistant hair stylist
Jean-Jacques Puchu	....	key hair stylist (as Jean-Jacques Puchu Lapeyrade)
Laura Quijandría	....	assistant makeup artist: Peru
Norma Recalde	....	assistant hair stylist
Juan A. Redondo	....	special makeup effects artist
Juan Angel Redondo	....	special makeup effects artist
Luigi Rocchetti	....	special makeup effects artist
Alejandro Staricco	....	assistant hair stylist
Juan Pedro Rodriguez Valiente	....	special makeup effects artist

Production Management
Ricardo Avelluto	....	unit manager
Carlo Bettin	....	production supervisor
Raúl Campos	....	unit manager
Peter McAleese	....	executive in charge of production
Federico Noejovich	....	location unit manager
Severo Santos	....	assistant production manager
Graham Stumpf	....	post-production supervisor
Marcelo Torres	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Federico Berón	....	second assistant director
Márcia Faria	....	first assistant director
Claudio Leiva Araos	....	second assistant director
Samuel León	....	assistant director
Pablo Ramos	....	director help
Claudio Reiter	....	assistant director
Sara Rossi	....	assistant director
Julia Solomonoff	....	first assistant director
Natalia Vacs	....	trainee assistant director

Art Department
Fernanda Abadía	....	painter
Lorena Acin	....	scenic painter
Angélica Alvear	....	set dresser
Silvina Carballo	....	assistant production designer
Martín Libert	....	property master
Matías Martínez	....	assistant production designer
Daniel Mauvignier	....	painter
Alejandro Gastón Mondello	....	assistant property master
Ariel Guillermo Mondello	....	assistant property master
Jorge Mondello	....	property master
Julio Ojeda	....	assistant property master
Ana Piaggio	....	graphic designer
Estella Zeballos	....	assistant property master

Sound Department
Bryan Arenas	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Javier Bennassar	....	sound editor
Jean-Claude Brisson	....	sound
Colin Cooper	....	adr recordist
Gary Coppola	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jed M. Dodge	....	dialogue editor
Frank Gaeta	....	sound designer
Frank Gaeta	....	supervising sound editor
Lauro Galindo	....	adr recordist
Patrick Giraudi	....	sound re-recording mixer
Peter Gleaves	....	adr mixer
Catherine Harper	....	foley artist
Terry Isted	....	adr recordist
Andrea Lakin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Patricio A. Libenson	....	foley supervisor (as Patricio Libenson)
Leandro Lima	....	sound
Christopher Moriana	....	foley artist
Todd Niesen	....	dialogue denoising
Todd Orr	....	sound re-recording mixer
David Romero	....	boom operator
Christopher Sidor	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Chris Sidor)
Victor Alejandro Tendler	....	sound assistant
Dennis Twitty	....	foley editor

Special Effects by
Georges Demétrau	....	special effects supervisor

Visual Effects by
Merysa Nicholas	....	digital compositor
Adam Stern	....	digital artist

Camera and Electrical Department
Enrique Apéstegui	....	electrician: Peru
Alejandro Arbulú	....	electrician: Peru
Pablo Baião	....	second assistant camera: Peru
Alberto Bellezia	....	second assistant camera: Peru
Rubén Carpio	....	electrician: Peru
Aníbal Cattaneo	....	grip
Aníbal Haran	....	electrician
John Rockwell Harris	....	additional still photographer
Rafael Mackay Fulle	....	grip
Flavio Naranjo	....	grip
Constanza Ott	....	first assistant camera
Paula Prandini	....	still photographer
Dennis Ramírez	....	grip
Rodolfo Resch	....	electrician
Agustín Roca	....	electrician
Sergio Scalisi	....	gaffer
Cristian Vega	....	assistant camera: second unit, Argentina
Peter Zuccarini	....	water camera operator

Casting Department
Norma Angeleri	....	extras casting
Pablo Pérez Giménez	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gabriela Bellacomo	....	costume assistant
Fátima Macera	....	costume assistant (as María Fátima Macera)
Carmen Montecalvo	....	costume assistant
Ramiro Piombo	....	costume assistant

Editorial Department
Luis Bernardez	....	post-production coordinator
Gilbert Carreras	....	film color timer
Steve Johnson	....	colorist
Isabelle Julien	....	color timer
Maria Montoreano	....	second editor
Fabien Pascal	....	color timer
Miguel Schverdfinger	....	assistant editor
Patrick Thauvin	....	negative cutter

Music Department
Robb Boyd	....	music editor (as Robert Boyd)
Anibal Kerpel	....	music editor
Stephen Lotwis	....	music editor
Lee Scott	....	music editor: temp tracking

Transportation Department
Sergio Miguel	....	unit transportation coordinator

Other crew
Patricia Apter	....	production coordinator
Kim Ballard	....	production financing
Susan Bradley	....	title designer
Paul Cafferty	....	post-production accountant
Emma Chapman	....	unit publicist
Dante Deccheco	....	production assistant
Nicky Earnshaw	....	assistant: Peter McAleese
José Luis García Espina	....	location manager
María Gowland	....	script supervisor
Leo Haidar	....	legal counsel
Bill Holderman	....	assistant to producer
Donna Kail	....	assistant: Mr. Redford
María Paula Mancini	....	assistant production accountant
Gianni Minà	....	creative consultant
Anna Luiza Müller	....	publicist
Alexander Nicolas	....	marketing
Sebastián Ponce	....	assistant to producer
John H. Price	....	interviews: post-production
Pablo Ramos	....	assistant to director
Paola Scagnet	....	accounting assistant
Ettore Scola	....	creative consultant
Mauro Stecco	....	production apprentice
Alistair Thompson	....	supervising production accountant
Fernando Wajs	....	production accountant
Connie Wethington	....	assistant: Michael Nozik
Brad Simonsen	....	production executive (uncredited)

Thanks
Tessa Ross	....	very special thanks
Leslie Urdang	....	thanks

Production Companies

• FilmFour
• South Fork Pictures
• Tu Vas Voir Productions
• BD Cine
• Inca Films S.A.
• Sahara Films
• Senator Film Produktion
• Sound for Film

Distributors

• A-Film Distribution (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution (2004) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (2006) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• BIM Distribuzione (2004) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Constantin Film (2004) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Diaphana Films (2004) (France) (theatrical)
• Focus Features (2004) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Golden Scene (2004) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Golden Village (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Herald Film Company (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Monopole-Pathé (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Pandasia Entertainment (2005) (Taiwan) (theatrical)
• Pathé Distribution (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB (2004) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2005) (Canada) (DVD)
• Channel 4 DVD (2008) (UK) (DVD) (HD DVD)
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Highlight Film (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• IPA Asia Pacific (2004) (Thailand) (all media)
• IPA Asia Pacific (2004) (Vietnam) (all media)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2004) (Finland) (all media)
• Sandrews (2005) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• YLE Teema (2007) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Fx Stunt Team

Other Companies

• Alfa Vision  lighting equipment
• Donna Daniels Public Relations  publicity
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Monkeyland Audio  post-production sound
• Sound Satisfaction  foley recording facilities
• Susan Bradley Film Design  title design
• Title House Digital  titles
• UMG Soundtracks  soundtrack released by
• Virtualmix  sound re-recording
• Widget Post Production  post-production facilities

Also Known As:

"Diarios de motocicleta" - Argentina (original title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

Argentina | USA | Chile | Peru | Brazil | UK | Germany | France

Language:

Spanish | Quechua | Mapudungun

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Taiwan:R-12 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Iceland:L | Hungary:14 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:7 | Ireland:15PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:G (Québec) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-7 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Norway:11 | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Argentina

Company:

FilmFour

Trivia:

Ernesto and Alberto's real-life motorcycle was a British-made Norton International, with a 500cc single-cylinder engine. For the film, the crew used restored Nortons, except for the crash scenes, which used modern Suzukis made up to look like Nortons (and christened "Nortsukis"). According to the director, the old Nortons were unfailingly reliable, and the modern Suzukis constantly broke down.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: At Macchu Pichu, a piece is broken off of the sundial at the Inti Huatana (Hitching Post of the Sun). The damage occurred in 2000, when a crane fell on it. In the 1950s, it was still in perfect condition.

Quotes:

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna:What do we leave behind when we cross each frontier? Each moment seems split in two; melancholy for what was left behind and the excitement of entering a new land.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Before Sunset (2004)

Soundtrack:

El Chipi Chipi

Sheer brilliance

From director Walter Salles comes a very moving road journey which had me completely spellbound by the end and I'm sure would gain many viewer's hearts as the infamous director dives deep into many different issues.

The story centres around two young doctors going on a motorbike journey around the world, not for personal gain but for the experience. This idea was completely outstanding. It gives the audience an understanding of young people's desires, not for personal gains such as money but for an experience into real life issues and wishing to know more about the world around them. These ideas I'm sure would make viewers aspire to be like the central characters to go out and explore the world and that was a reason why I personally loved this drama, because it gives inspiration to the audience and really moves them in a way which will leave you completely spellbound.

The film centres on many issues but one which stuck out for me was the heavy ideologies of health. In the year 1950 there were many health issues present in the poorer counties such as Peru and this Oscar winning drama is able to capture these issues magnificently. The two central protagonists are doctors and are wishing to help others with their knowledge and expertise as they explore the less fortunate countries to help with the many depressing health problems the countries are experiencing. There is a very highly emotional driven scene when the lead character tries to help a very ill woman who is refusing to be treated. Tensions are always running high in the latter stages of the film when many issues are wishing to be resolved and the central protagonists are putting themselves on the line to help the ill residents of the poor countries.

Having changes in situations was a very powerful technique. The characters experience a poor life and a rich life. Audiences will see different perspectives of life in the 1950s when seeing there are poor and rich countries and are divided by the smallest differences, such as illnesses. We also see more joyous moments and highly emotional driven scenes which also gives a sense of how life is, the good and bad sides are both expressed in equal amounts which in my opinion was a fantastic move and will capture your heart as it did mine

Centred on the 1950s the film captured the essence of the politically driven time beautifully. Audiences see job issues, money problems and country matters which all juxtapose perfectly to capture the essence of the time and crate a high realism in context of the time

The acting by everyone involved is absolutely outstanding and it confused me when not one received an Oscar nomination because Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo De la Serna are remarkable as the two travellers. Both dealing with their own issues we see different types of characters but similar characteristics to which made the film more believable of society where opinions are divided but also shared.

Bernal plays a character who is always saying what he feels and is never wishing to back down from anyone or anything and he pulled it off tremendously. The passion he creates as the central protagonist Guevara is utterly astonishing as he deals with asthma problems, love lives and money issues. It's a lot for him to take as he realises how serious life can be. Serna to also pulls off a classic performance as the older more experienced of the two who is always looking for that little bit more than his fellow traveller.

Using different countries such as Peru, Venezuela, and Spain allows viewers to gain an insight into the vastness of life. Using poor countries as well as rich countries allows viewers to see different sides to the world in the 1950s and was pulled off greatly. The characters can therefore experience what a posh life is like as well as what life in the fast lane gives them. The camera work is astonishing. Shooting from Venezuela, Peru etc we see different perspective of the countries. The scenery is always beautiful with shots of the towns in a poor state and the general background of the countries is to be admired. The shots of the bike on the roads are to be admired. The camera moves adjacent to the bike giving the realistic effect of the bike moving fast along the empty roads, gaining a sense of freedom and enjoyment.

From watching this film I can say I have been inspired to get on a motorbike and explore the world. Seeing what the central protagonists saw will inspire many as it has inspired me and I have no hesitation in recommending this Oscar winning drama to anyone.