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Jorge Perugorría, Vladimir Cruz, Mirta Ibarra, Francisco Gattorno, Jorge Angelino ... see more see more... , Marilyn Solaya

A man finds that friendship and understanding can span many boundaries -- age, politics, and gender preference among them -- in this comedy-drama from Cuba. David (Vladimir Cruz) is a student and arde... read more read more...nt Communist whose personal life is in something of a slump; his girlfriend recently left him to marry another man after he took her to a hotel in hopes of seducing her, and she announced that she couldn't believe anyone could make love in such an ugly room. One day, David stops by the park and gets some ice cream, where he meets Diego (Jorge Perrugoria); as if his flamboyant manner wasn't announcement enough, David is convinced that Diego must be a homosexual because he's eating strawberry ice cream, even though it's one of the rare days when chocolate is available. David is less than impressed with Diego's open criticism of Castro's regime (especially the government's persecution of gays), but he accepts an invitation to visit Diego's apartment; while David realizes that Diego has seduction on his mind, this is outweighed by the knowledge that Diego's flat houses such forbidden pleasures as Time Magazine, American record albums, and Johnny Walker Red scotch. David's friend Miguel (Francisco Gatorno) is convinced that Diego is a dangerous dissident and urges David to spy on him and pass along his findings to the government. But the more time David spends with Diego, the more he finds that he's intrigued by this very different man, and that he enjoys spending time with him; David also finds he likes Nancy (Mirta Ibarra), Diego's sexy neighbor. Helmed by legendary Cuban director Tomas Gutierrez Alea and based on a story by Senel Paz, Fresa y Chocolate was the first Cuban film to be nominated for an Oscar (Best Foreign Language Film of 1995); it also won honors at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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82% liked it

3,184 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

20 critics

R, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío

Release Date: September 11, 1994

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DVD Release Date: November 14, 1995

Stats: 165 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (165)

  • RossCollinsUK
    August 16, 2009
    RossCollinsUK
    Amiable characters and a pleasant tale of Cuban life, contrasting the young communist idealist with an older, gay intellectual artist.

View All Strawberry and Chocolate (Fresa y Chocolate) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Derek Malcolm
July 3, 2009
Derek Malcolm, This is London

Its subject now reveals itself as political and social freedom in Castro's Cuba and this is what makes it an intelligent companion piece to Memories of Underdevelopment, Alea's earlier film. Full Review

Tom Huddlestone
July 3, 2009
Tom Huddlestone, Time Out

While the central story may lack edge, 'Strawberry and Chocolate' remains an entertaining, thoughtful take on the absurdity of confusing sexuality and politics. Full Review

Jon Fortgang
July 3, 2009
Jon Fortgang, Film4

A clear call for tolerance, deftly executed by a director for whom the personal and the political were indivisible. Full Review

Wendy Ide
July 3, 2009
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]

It's a clear-eyed critique of the revolution's treatment of gay Cubans and, as such, it's a brave and important piece of film-making. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
July 3, 2009
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

Watching his funny and likeable Havana-set comedy is like chancing upon some undiscovered early gem by Godard or Woody Allen, and yet it has a worldliness and drollery that is all its own. Full Review

July 3, 2009
Sky Movies

It's rather long-winded and the politics are pretty boring to an outsider. Full Review

Nigel Andrews
July 3, 2009
Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

A superb Cuban film from 1993, a little classic about gay freedom and its aspirations versus Fidel Castro and his Marxist straitjacketing. Full Review

Robert Hanks
July 3, 2009
Robert Hanks, Independent

It verges on the preachy, but it's a generous and intriguing film. Full Review

Allan Hunter
July 3, 2009
Allan Hunter, Daily Express

Strawberry & Chocolate (Fresa y Chocolate) has a special place in cinema history. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
April 9, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

The film's premise (friendship between a straight and gay man) may be familiar, but set in Cuba the tale's particular context adds freshness and political alertness, resulting in a charming film with ... Full Review

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