The Argentine

now this does look interesting! after years of rumours, we are getting not one but two films on Che Guevara, a man whose fascinating history and life many of you who know me will be aware of me studying for years. these images are of Demian Bichir in the shall we say pivotal role of Fidel Castro. looks like a job well done on the casting!

as for Che himself, he is being played by the immensely talented Benicio Del Toro. nice one - no pics of him yet, alas, but he looks like he can pass off as Che physically, and i dare say you do not need me to say what an outstanding actor he is.years and years ago Gary Oldman was once mooted as possibly playing Che, but nothing ever came of that - i think he did Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK instead.

the two films, "The Argentine" and "Guerrilla", are due for release later in 2008. both appear to be directed by, or have some involvement from, Steven Soderbergh, which is no bad thing at all. someone like Oliver Stone would have messed it up, whereas i doubt the subject would hold much interest for a Scorsese.


sadly, in a move that underlines their blissful ignorance, it seems that the films can already expect a hostile reaction from American audiences, going on comments that are spreading across the interwebnetthing. this is indeed a shame. yes, Che was no angel, and often it went wrong, and cost lives. but to overlook his significant contribution to the world, his self-sacrifice and his human ideals of freedom, well, that would be the epitome of short-sightedness, i fear. Che's actions may not always have been perfect or acceptable, but his beliefs in wanting a better world should be cherished.

with the quality attached, it is rather difficult to see this project going all pear shaped or wrong, really. i look forward to the release of these two films with great interest!

be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!