making of a revolutionary
09.19.04 // 2:52 p.m.

You know, the term "life altering trip" takes on a whole new meaning when you apply it to Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna and Alberto Granado's 8 month long trek through South America. Three weeks in Mexico pale in comparison.

I had the opportunity to catch a free sneak preview of The Motorcycle Diaries Thursday evening.

I didn't really know what to expect. Was the film going to live up to the spirit of Che or would it be a commercial film about the guy who is on everyone's t-shirts these days? However, I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to see Gael Garcia Bernal on the big screen... for free!

I was thoroughly impressed with the film. Garcia Bernal, one of my favorite actors (both for talents and his handsome features) deftly portrayed the famed revolutionary. Rodrigo de la Serna plays his companion, Granado.

The film begins with the two men discussing their plans for the trip and bidding goodbyes to Fuser's (the nickname Alberto uses for Che) family in Buenos Aires. The plan is to travel north through South America eventually reaching Venezuela where Alberto will celebrate his 30th birthday. The two men leave Buenos Aires with Granado's inappropriately named motorcylce, la Poderosa, with only a little bit of money, a few stuffed duffle bags, and a tent.

They have some scary moments, a lot of funny ones, and those life changing ones. Their privilege as a middle class student 3 courses away from becoming a doctor (Che) and a biochemist (Alberto), becomes much clearer. In one instance, they encounter a Chilean mining couple in the Atacame desert. "Why do you travel?" the woman asks them after explaining that she and her husband need to travel for work. As communists, it's tougher for them to find work. Fuser answers, we travel just to travel, something that astounds the couple.

The remainder of the film focuses much more on the life changing aspect of the trip. The two men encounter many other people along their journey including doctors, Incans, lepers at the San Pablo leper colony, and just regular people. The film handles this adeptly. Rather than making them seem just like poor, helpless, ill, and oppressed, you get a sense of self determination. I especially liked the still black and white photos, which add a documentary type feel to the movie.

Director Walter Salles also ensures that the message of a borderless American continent (north and south connected) comes across in a short, awkward speech by Fuser. The beautiful landscapes are brilliantly captured as they discover Machu Pichu, battle wind and snow in the Andes, or raft down the Amazon river.

So, when this movie opens, I'd suggest you go watch it if only to reaffirm how important it is that we all get out of our comfort zones to explore the vast world. We have a lot to learn that can't be gained staying in one place.

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