'Che' biofilm rousing, but not for long amid Cuba's shortages, poverty

[Jimmy2]

December 14, 2008

Havana - A clothing designer said she emerged from the nearly five-hour Havana debut of Steven Soderberg's film Che with an overwhelming sense of despair for the direction of her country.

"The dream of the Cuban revolution was a beautiful thing," said Lise, 25, a college graduate who declined to give her full name for fear of losing her state job. "But Cuba has strayed far from that dream of equality and fairness. So much has been lost."

One of her friends, Camila, 28, an unemployed lawyer, took offense at the suggestion.

"Cuba has survived and will continue to survive as an independent nation because of Che Guevara and Raul and Fidel Castro," she said of the central figures behind the armed uprising that brought down Fulgencio Batista's dictatorship Jan. 1, 1959.

With the 50th anniversary of the revolution coming, some young Cuban professionals who last weekend saw Soderberg's film biography of Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara said the epic reminded them of all the promise and potential of the historic rebellion that transformed their island nation. But two generations later, they said, many Cubans are disillusioned.

"The leaders of the revolution had the best intentions," said Sergio, 30, a university professor who also asked that his full name not be used for fear of reprisal. "But they have become too comfortable and disconnected from the Cuban people."

For Cubans, these are reflective times. After nearly five decades of one-man rule under Fidel Castro, now ailing at 82, they watched as the presidency was formally handed to his brother Raul in February. Raul, 77, encouraged Cubans to openly debate the failings of the socialist economy, but so far has done little to improve the lives of a people who have long complained of insufficient rations and severe shortages, strict regulations, two currencies and meager state salaries.

When the film ended, one moviegoer shouted, "Viva el Che!" The crowd followed, "Viva!"

But Lise said the emotion aroused by the film soon faded.

"Before the revolution, so many Cubans had no hope of studying and becoming professionals," she said. "They lived horrible lives.

"After the revolution, many were able to study and become professionals but still have miserable lives filled with necessity."

Lise reminded Camila that the young lawyer hasn't held a steady job in years. "What good has an education done you?" she asked.