Why a revolutionary icon required two films to capture one life
In short: To portray Ernesto "Che" Guevara, filmmakers had to abandon traditional chronology. The resulting 2008 epic, directed by Steven Soderbergh, split the revolutionary's life into two distinct cinematic experiences: one chronicling the rise of the Cuban Revolution and the other documenting his final, doomed campaign in Bolivia.
The production of 'Che' was a complex journey of creative pivots. Originally, filmmaker Terrence Malick intended to focus solely on Guevara's Bolivian campaign. However, when financing failed, Steven Soderbergh took over and realized the Bolivian actions lacked necessary context. He decided to incorporate Guevara's pivotal role in the Cuban Revolution and his 1964 address to the United Nations. The script was eventually so expansive that Soderbergh chose to divide it into two parts: 'The Argentine' and 'Guerrilla'.
The films utilize a cinéma vérité style, featuring an oblique, interspersed narrative rather than a linear timeline. 'The Argentine' covers the 1957-1958 period, including the Battle of Santa Clara where Guevara demonstrated tactical skill by derailing a train of soldiers. 'Guerrilla' follows his 1966 arrival in Bolivia, organized by the number of days he spent in the country. This section highlights his increasing isolation, including a Day 100 food shortage and a Day 169 capture of his friend Régis Debray, leading to his eventual capture and execution on October 9, 1967.
The project faced significant hurdles, including a lack of American financing because the filmmakers insisted on shooting in Spanish to maintain cultural credibility. The $58 million budget was covered primarily by foreign pre-sales and European production companies. To ensure authenticity, Benicio del Toro spent seven years researching Guevara, meeting with his family and surviving guerrillas. Soderbergh even had to scout for a replacement for the town of Santa Clara after being denied entry to Cuba by the U.S. government embargo.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Che (2008 film)
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