Screening: Strawberry and Chocolate @ The Wex

The personal and political lives of two young men collide in this late-career gem from Tomás Gutiérrez Alea.

Set in Havana in the late 1970s, Strawberry and Chocolate follows the evolving relationship between David, an avid but naïve Castro supporter, and Diego, an outgoing, gay, anti-establishment artist. David is encouraged to spy on Diego (just being gay in communist Cuba could lead to incarceration), while Diego teaches David about art and literature and the repression of gay people by the government David supports. As their friendship deepens, social and governmental forces beyond their control begin to close in around them. Strawberry and Chocolate was the first Cuban entry to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In Spanish with English subtitles. (110 mins., 2K DCP)

The screening is preceded by Alea’s short documentary film The Art of Tobacco, a look at artwork used to promote Cuba’s famous cigars. (6 mins. 40 secs., 2K DCP)

Screening as part of the Wex’s Tomás Gutiérrez Alea’s retrospective running throughout June.

Tickets: $9 general public, $7 Wex members and adults over 55, $5 for students.