Strawberry and Chocolate (1993)

This Oscar nominated film is the story of two men who are opposites, one gay, the other straight, one a fierce communist, the other a fierce individualist, one suspicious, the other accepting, and how they come to love each other.

Directors:

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío

Writers:

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea (collaboration) (as T.G. Alea), Senel Paz (screenplay)

Stars:

Jorge Perugorría, Vladimir Cruz, Mirta Ibarra

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 25 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jorge Perugorría	...	Diego
Vladimir Cruz	...	David
Mirta Ibarra	...	Nancy
Francisco Gattorno	...	Miguel
Joel Angelino	...	German
Marilyn Solaya	...	Vivian
Andrés Cortina	...	Santero
Antonio Carmona	...	Groom
Ricardo Ávila	...	Taxi Driver (as Ricardo Avila)
María Elena del Toro	...	Passenger 1
Zolanda Oña	...	Passenger 2
Diana Iris del Puerto	...	Neighbor

Storyline

Diego, a cultivated, homosexual and skeptical young man, falls in love with a young heterosexual communist full of prejudices and doctrinal ideas. First come rejection and suspicion, but also fascination. Fresa y chocolate is a coming-of-age story, told through the development of a great friendship which overcomes incomprehension and intolerance.

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Plot Keywords:

loyalty | communist | friendship | gay | chocolate | 

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Taglines:

Savor the flavor

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief strong sexuality, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cuba's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 67th Academy Awards. As of 2020, it remains the only Cuban film to be nominated for an Oscar.

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Goofs

The blue Cadillac seen at the end of the film was not made until the 1987 model year.

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Connections

Referenced in The Waiting List (2000)

User Reviews

straight and gay reach understanding

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.

Details

Country:

Cuba Mexico Spain USA

Language:

Spanish English French

Release Date:

20 January 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Strawberry and Chocolate

Filming Locations:

Havana, Cuba

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,080,805

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,087,569

Company Credits

Production Co:

Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industrias Cinematográficos (ICAIC), Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE), TeleMadrid

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Black and White (archive footage: news broadcasts) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1