“El Che”
2004, Cuba – France, 133 min
Director: Maurice Dugowson
Based on the book “Che, Ernesto Guevara, una legende du siede” (by Pierre Kalfon)

A prismatic portrait of both the man and the myth of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara.
This documentary retraces Guevara’s life and political career, beginning with his youth in 1950’s Argentina, when he set out on the road, writing travel diaries, poetry, and stories. His wanderings through the Andes, Patagonia, Peru, and the Chilean desert informed his identity not as a citizen of one nation but as a Latin American. Following his medical studies, he left Argentina forever, dedicating his life to fighting imperialism, poverty, and social injustice throughout the continent.

Ernesto 'Che' Guevara de la Serna represents one of the most enduring images of a political leader. His legendary character has been the inspiration for millions of people over the last fifty years. Lawrence Elman, a Canadian director, went in search of the man behind the myth. He embarked on the journey that gave Che his name. A trip through South America on an old Norton motorcycle. Che chronicled this trip during a break from medical school in a book called the Motorcycle Diaries. Lawrence encounters Che's family and oldest friends who shed light on this true icon of the 20th century. From the cousin who tells of Ernesto's chronic lack of hygiene to the tragedy of being rejected by a woman who is still believed to be his first love.

Ernesto became Che and changed the perceptions of many. His love and friendship of Sartre (who called Che the only whole man he had ever met), his philosophical journals that began at the age of 15; all helped to shape a man who struggled with potentially fatal asthma all his short life.

There are some remarkable scenes of Guevara's youth in Argentina, as well as much footage of the early days in Cuba, circa 1955-59. The interviews with those who knew him are fascinating, particularly the ones with one of his old comrades in arms.