Entertainment
Duo’s Film Club - Fresa y chocolate
In this final episode of Duo's Film Club, host Martina Castro and guest Ariana Landaburo explore the iconic Cuban film 'Fresa y Chocolate.' They discuss its cultural significance, the c...
Duo’s Film Club - Fresa y chocolate
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Interactive Transcript
Speaker A
Hola listeners. I'm Martina Castro and I don't know about you, but I've been loving Duo's Film Club, the newest season of the Duolingo Spanish Podcast. Today we'll dive into the final episode of the series. All season we've been exploring some of the most iconic Spanish language films and whether you've seen them or not, we and you're going to learn what makes these movies so special in our signature bilingual format. I'll be honest, I hadn't seen this movie, Fresa y Chocolate in ages, but I rewatched it for our film club and it's definitely different from the other movies in this season. It's got a different pace and a different vibe, but it's a true gem of Cuban cinema. You might have heard of it because Fresay Chocolate is one of the most well known Cuban films around the world and it's the only Cuban film that's ever been nominated for an Oscar.
Speaker B
Sobre la mor, pero sobre la mor engineral amar a otra Persona que tiene otras opinones, otra actitud en la vida, otra cideas y otra sexolidad.
Speaker A
I'm very happy to welcome Ariana Landaburo, our special guest for today's episode. She's originally from Cuba and studied art history at la Universidad de la Havana. Lucky for us, she's a huge fan of this movie and she's gonna share how it inspired filmmakers and viewers around the so you know what to do next. Grab some popcorn and get comfy because we're about to learn so much about this groundbreaking film. Please keep in mind that Frese Chobolate is rated R, but our episode today is suitable for listeners of all ages. Before we talk about what makes this movie so special, let's review some essential Cuban history. The movie takes place in Havana, Cuba, or La Habana in the late 1970s, about 20 years after Fidel Castro took power in the Cuban Revolution, or La Revolucion. It's important to remember Fresey Chocolate was funded by the state and had to be approved, so it only reveals aspects of Cuban life that the regime allowed to be highlighted. It didn't touch issues that Cuban authorities have been reluctant to acknowledge, like racial discrimination.
Speaker B
Here's La Revolucion Cubana comenso en mil noveciento cinquentai nueve para destruer el govierno del dictador Fulgencio Batista des dece momento u vo mucho cambios en tod el pais la historia de Fresa Chocolate ocurre a finales de mil no e siento setenta en esteperido. Los efecto de las revolucion se sentia mucho en la Sociedad Cubana.
Speaker A
Many people in Cuba embraced the revolution, its socialist ideals and policies. But others faced discrimination and were marginalized because they didn't completely follow the regime's policies, which, to be clear, were very homophobic. And we see that reflected in the two protagonists of Fresa y Chocolate. First, we meet David, a young university student who's passionate about the revolution. Then there's Diego. He's a middle aged gay artist and he's frustrated by the regime's censorship of the arts and persecution of the LGBTQ community.
Speaker B
El personaje de Diego es y increible es un intellectual gay que ham a la cultura de supais. Por que sabe muy bien que Cuba no es solo la revolucion, pero tambien es un revolucionario porque creed las cosas. Ida vit e quier serres fuerte que el es un hoen del Partido Comunista yterosexual que cre en el govierno.
Speaker A
They're basically polar opposites. Then, by chance, the two men meet at an ice cream shop. But after David learns that Diego's gay, he decides to spy on him. Because again, David is part of the Communist Party Partido Comunista, and he really believes in the revolution's ideals. The new government saw homosexuality as dangerous, so David feels it's his duty to report him. But after spending time together, an interesting dynamic develops between these two main characters.
Speaker B
Durante toda la pelicula seve la tencion entre el te SEO de Diego y la resistencia te David.
Speaker A
Now that we've covered the basic plot, let's explore why this film is so treasured. One reason is that it shows everyday life in Cuba in the 1970s, like the scene in the ice cream shop or El Averia where David and Diego meet. It's called Coppelia, and Ariana tells us it's one of her favorite spots in La Havana.
Speaker B
Coppelia es muy importante. La Havana es un lugar increible. Es una e la deria e norme e difficio. Es mara villoso y es especial. Encuba hace mucho calor y eleado es algo fresco esa era le la la deria mas grande ca avia en tonses la gente pasava horasai esperando para comprar suelado.
Speaker A
We also hear local music on the streets. The characters walk along the water in La Habana, and we see the city's gorgeous architecture at Diego's apartment.
Speaker B
La arquitectura de la vana vieja esuna de las mas extraordinarias de todo America. El apartamento de Diego esta en una difficio historico contecios altos y valcones hermosos. Su casa tambien es characteristica de la cultura cubana. Diego tiene muchos objetos importantes de la literatura cubana. Como photos de Jose le sama lima el famoso ecritor cubano.
Speaker A
I love all these details. There's so much culture to explore. But what makes Fresey Chocolate such a brave film is the friendship between David and Diego. The director, Tomas Gutierrezalea, reveals in a very powerful way how difficult it was for gay people in Cuba to be accepted. Ariana explains that freedom for the LGBTQ community was severely limited on the island until the 2000s.
Speaker B
Hasta finales de la decada del setenta. La revolucion de sia que la homosexualidad era una infirmedad y a un que u vo progresos creo que to habille sun tema tabu el associadad.
Speaker A
When Fresay Chocolate was released in 1993, the idea of acceptance was still revolutionary in Cuba and Iraq, the world which was grappling with the AIDS crisis. But this movie broke that silence in a significant way. It spread a message of support for the LGBTQ community in Cuba and beyond, inspiring other filmmakers to tackle social issues in their films.
Speaker B
La importantcia de la pelicula es grande. Por que fue una de las primeras en hablar de los exualidad de fues desa pellicula mucho, mucho. Por que es un estoria muy hermosa.
Speaker A
Now let's get to a scene from the movie for an extra learning moment in our segment. Pon le play or press play so you can deepen your cultural understanding for today. We picked one of the opening moments of the movie because it explains the title Fresa y chocolate. And you're gonna get some extra practice listening to the Cuban accent. Are you ready? Here we go. We see the busy ice cream shop Coppelia, and Diego takes a seat at David's table. They're strangers, but Diego wants to try and pick up the handsome student David is clearly uncomfortable. As Diego begins to eat his strawberry ice cream, Diego makes a joke about the government exporting the good ice cream and keeping a watery version for Cubans. He keeps chatting, but when David glances at the artists books, Diego turns the conversation to authors. He even mentions some writers who were banned in Cuba. That's when David reveals his red ID card for the Communist Party, moving it from one shirt pocket to another. It's a sign that the young revolutionary could denounce Diego for having these books. Diego responds with this Diego is clearly stirring the pot. He knows his books are banned and he mocks David because he follows the rules of La Juventud, the youth League of Cuba's Communist Party. But that doesn't stop the two from becoming friends later. One thing that stands out to me is how this scene sets up the movie's title. Here's Ariana's explanation of the Fresichocolate es.
Speaker B
Una metaphora de los personajes y desur relacion. El chocolate represent el lado masculino y heterosexual y la fresa represent elado homosexual y femenino es un titulo que representa las personalidades y los estilos de vida de los protagonistas so muy differentes. Pero tieneng una relacion profunda.
Speaker A
If you've been listening to Duo's Film Club, you know what comes next. We have some datos curiosos that we think will give you some extra inspiration and behind the scenes trivia about the movie. I'm excited to share the fun facts Ariana has for us. Here we go. Fun fact number one. The actor who played Diego, Jorge Perugurria, portrayed a sophisticated and cultured artist. But off screen, Peregoria was living a very different reality. In the early 1990s, when the film was made, there was an economic crisis in Cuba. So like many other people, the actor went to great lengths to feed his family and and this had an impact on screen.
Speaker B
La crises de la comeda encuba fuel rible Entonces las familias de cideron criar animales en su casas od partamentos perugaria tenias serdos en su casa yayo nistoria chio curio de la pelicula perugo tambien le disempichi Yundia Pichi Yehual Z con las manos destruidas como une Persona que trabaja en el campo. Entonces la maquilladora le dijo pichi que Y siste parec e sun travajador del campo. Pero do personaje una Persona delicada.
Speaker A
Fun fact number two is about how the film was received by everyday people in Cuba during the country's annual film festival. It drew a lot of attention and when it was released abroad in the US it became a box office hit.
Speaker B
En el festival de sine de la Havana foi impresionante cuando encendiero un las luces mucha Personas estavan yorando la sala, la gente a plaudio muy fuerte durante dias minutos fue una pelicula muy con movedora.
Speaker A
And now, fun fact number three. We mentioned earlier that most of the movie takes place place in Diego's apartment. It's inside a magnificent building with marble floors and tall ceilings. Well, it turns out that the movie made Diego's guarida, or den, so famous that tourists wanted to visit.
Speaker B
Lo duena de la casa desideron transformarla enun tres llora se llama paladar la guarida. Muchos touristas vierno la pelicola en el restaurante toda villa. Ayo vejos que vemos en la pelicula. Ah. Y la comides deliciosa. Ayi comune pescado muy ric.
Speaker A
Okay, that was our last official fun fact. But we have one more for those who've seen the movie because it's a spoiler. So if you haven't watched Fresay Chocolate yet, come back when you've seen it or skip ahead to the end. Alright, here it is. Near the end of the movie, Diego makes a desperate choice. After being blacklisted by the government, he decides to leave the island. In what is likely their last time seeing each other, the two friends have ice cream one more time. But get this. Now it's David, the young straight revolutionary who chooses the strawberry ice cream. It's a moment that brings us back full circle to the opening of the film and it shows that Fresa y chocolate is more than just a clever title. Ariana explains how it's a symbol for their friendship and the film's central message.
Speaker B
Alfinas de la pelicula cuando surrelacion es mas fuerte. David y Diego tresan acopelia. Pero esta vest David elije elado de fresa. El comiencio de la pelicules muy differente. Porque Diego y David no estanco modos, pero al finelo podemos ver que son ex celentes amigos. Creo que se es el verdadro mensaje de la pelicula, la fuerza de la diversidad y el respeto.
Speaker A
What a powerful message to conclude this episode and this special season of the Duolingo Spanish Podcast Duo's Film Club. Thank you to our guest Adriana Landaburo. She's currently living in Mexico City and works as a TV and film producer.
Speaker B
Ciao nos vemos.
Speaker A
And that's a wrap on Duo's Film Club. We'd love to know what you thought of this series. You can write us an email@podcastuolingo.com or send us an audio message on WhatsApp at 1-703-953-9369. And don't forget to say your name and where you're from. If you liked this episode, please share it. You can find the audio and a transcript@podcast.duolingo.com you can also follow us on Apple Podcasts or on your favorite listening app so you never miss an episode. With over 500 million users, Duolingo is the world's leading language learning platform and the most downloaded education app in the world. Duolingo believes in making education free, fun and available to everyone. To join, download the app today or find out more@duolingo.com the Duolingo Spanish Podcast is produced by Duolingo and Adonde Media. Our Managing editor is David Alandete. Our Senior editor is Laura Eisency. This season was produced by Tali Goldman and special thanks to all of our guests. We had conversations with Ana Laura Perez, Paula Grinspan, Mauricio Garcia, David Bernal and Ariana Landaburo. Our sound designers were Mariano Pacela, Mauricio Mendoza, and Andres Festenholz. Andres was also our assistant producer. Our mixing and mastering engineer was Daniel Murcia. Luis Gil was our mix supervisor, our production manager was Roman Frontini and our production coordinator was Nicolas Sosa. Special thanks to Lorena Gagliot and Giovanna Romano Sanchez for fact checking. Duolingo Story editing and Spanish language support were provided by Alexa Fernandez, Laura Maycomber, Lorena Kanski, Maria Mandeli, Gina Rovirosa, Trujillo, Paula Canon, and Maria Abascal. Special thanks to Tim Shea. I'm the Executive producer and your host, Martina Castro. Gracias Porrescar.
Topics Covered
Fresa y Chocolate
Cuban cinema
Duolingo Spanish Podcast
LGBTQ community in Cuba
Cuban Revolution
iconic Spanish films
bilingual format
Coppelia ice cream shop
Diego and David friendship
Tomas Gutierrez Alea
Cuban history
social issues in films
cultural understanding
Cuban architecture
film club discussions