Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara; revolutionary, Marxist and doctor. Together with Fidel Castro, he waged war against Cuban capitalism, and overthrew it, during the Cuban revolution of 1959. Che: Part One explores this inspiring tale of struggle.

By Jacinta Chavulak, Socialist Party

Che: Part One traces Guevara’s revolutionary journey; beginning at his initial meeting with Castro in Mexico, 1954, until the capture of a major city, Santa Clara, and the fleeing of the military Junta. The film, starring Benicio Del Toro, grants artistic insight into what was going on behind the battles won by the rebel army.

Director Steven Soderbergh takes a somewhat different approach to his film, compared with other movies concerning the late Ernesto Guevara. This film is raw and exciting, whilst exploring the beliefs the revolutionaries held. The director interweaves scenes of Che before the revolution and after the revolution, at the UN conference of 1964, with the majority of the film showing the military campaign in Cuba.

Although it doesn’t include the initial battle of the 26th of July invasion of Cuba, the film focuses on aspects which haven’t been previously explored on screen.

On many occasions throughout the film, Che is shown using his skills as a doctor to treat poor peasants for free. Che focuses on Guevara’s soft nature; he claims that “love” is the most important quality of a revolutionary; “Love of humanity; of justice and truth. A real revolutionary goes where he is needed.”

The 1964 UN conference, where Che staunchly denounced capitalism and imperialism in the face of it’s international representatives, also weaves its way into the narrative.

By juxtaposing these sides of Che, we are able to see the generous and selfless contribution he made to the revolution.

The Cuban revolution was a huge step forward for the peasants and workers of Cuba and inspired millions of other workers and youth around the world. However, the Cuban revolution did not succeed in implementing a fully democratic socialist state.

One of the flaws of the movement was its top down nature. Castro’s ‘July 26 Movement’ was not organisation based on the working class. Instead, it was a guerrilla army based on the peasantry. Such an organization, though full of revolutionary courage and heroism, is unable to bring about a full workers democracy.

Despite these deficiencies in the Cuban revolution itself, the film is a fantastically inspiring account of Che’s struggle in Cuba. Che fought for the liberation of Cuba from a corrupt military dictatorship which represented capitalism and feudalism. He also fought against the domination of ordinary people by American corporations. Che succeeded in these endeavors, and the film depicts this inspiringly.

The film ends with the rebel army heading toward Havana, victorious. Though Che reminds us “We have only won the war. The revolution has just begun.”

On leaving the cinema, I was personally inspired, and driven, to do as Che did. To fight for those in society who don’t have access to health care and food, to fight for democratic rights and, above all, to fight for Socialism. Che: Part One gives fantastic insight into the man behind the tee-shirt.

Che’s struggle is an inspiration for those who wish to change the world today. Guevara describes capitalism as an “invisible cage”, whereby the people within have their lives determined by their class position. The Socialist Party feel the same as Che did. In the words of Ernesto “Che” Guevara; “If you tremble indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.”