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Strawberry and Chocolate (18) + Introduction by curator Harry Singh

Queer 90s

Still from Strawberry and Chocolate

A young communist student spies on a flamboyant gay artist in this much-loved, Oscar-nominated modern classic from Cuba.

The first (and, to date, only) Cuban film to be nominated for the best foreign language film Oscar, Strawberry and Chocolate starts out like a cute gay romcom before developing into something far more provocative.

Havana, 1979. Flamboyant artist Diego (Jorge Perugorría) tries to pick up lovelorn straight student David (Vladimir Cruz) at the Coppelia ice cream parlour. David isn’t interested in romance, but is simultaneously repelled and fascinated by Diego’s love of forbidden art, and, egged on by his friend, decides to spy on him, fearing he may be subverting the communist cause.

This sharp, irresistible comedy, spiced with a love of camp that breathes like Pedro Almodóvar, is surprisingly critical of the Castro regime and sympathetic to its gay protagonist. It has semi-legendary status in Cuba - tourists still seek out the locations.

Tagged with: Cinema Queer 90s PRIDE 2023

Cuba, Mexico, Spain 1993 dir Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío 108 min

Please note this film includes references to suicide.

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Part of PRIDE 2023

A season of events this summer from a diverse range of LGBTQ+ artists celebrating identity, equity and acceptance