[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P70BMqkQLGw[/youtube]
A couple of days ago, a cam bootleg of Soderbergh’s “Che, el argentino” surfaced online. I wanted to wait for a better version before posting, and now we have one.¬† (Yahoo Espa√±a source.)
It was already clear that the film is stunningly photographed, even in bootleg quality, and this sharper video reveals a terrific richness and authenticity of historic texture. Shot by Roderick Jaynes’ cousin *cough*, “Peter Andrews” (a.k.a., Soderbergh himself), Che appears to seamlessly match actual footage so skillfully that it feels as real as a vintage documentary.¬† On the basis of this first look alone, I’m tempted to start making noise about n*m*n*t**ns, but you know my habit of jumping the gun so I’ll try to get a grip. Can I at least say that this is unequivocally the best trailer I’ve seen all year?
Soderbergh talks about using the, um, revolutionary new digital camera, Red One, after the cut.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo32Zn70LIw[/youtube]
Director Steven Soderbergh has shot his two features recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival: Guerrilla and The Argentine entirely with the Red One camera. Soderbergh is very enthusiastic about the camera, saying that “this is the camera I’ve been waiting for my whole career: jaw-dropping imagery recorded onboard a camera light enough to hold with one hand. I don’t know how Jim and the Red team did it‚Äîand they won’t tell me‚Äîbut I know this: Red is going to change everything.”
for info about the Che films or about Benicio DelToro visit http://www.beniciodeltoro.ca
Fei, to quote a professor of mine:
“Ideas ALWAYS win out over facts.”
Despite the subject matter, and everyone’s preconceived notions about Che, communism, etc, admit this film looks great. I’ve been waiting for something like this from Soderbergh since Traffic. It’s about time he made another serious movie. I just can’t believe there hasn’t been a single studio interested in buying it.
For as much as I disliked Hitler and the entire idea of the Nazi party, Downfall was an incredible movie. I’ve had multiple viewings of that film and it continues to impress me.
#18
No, but that movie definitely won’t be idolizing Bush, either.
Nobody is disputing that Che had ideals. But to omit that he became a monster along the way is highly problematic, especially in a four-and-a-half-hour project covering his later life. Reviews indicate that both movies gloss over his dark side, which means that they further bolster his status as a nebulous, benevolent symbol. To me, that’s just irresponsible. Cazgirlie, are you being objective when you say that “his star will always shine brightly”? This is a man who took pleasure in killing and torturing people, so much so that he did it excessively to satisfy his ever increasing bloodlust. He is an example of failed, corrupted idealism. He is more than a man who fought and died for what he believed. In other words, he is not Jesus. And he is quite less than a martyr.
Che the symbol is a problem in this world and a problem for the liberals that continue to propound him. The iconic face that is plastered on shirts, mugs, and other merchandise represents a generic, revolutionary idealism that is so divorced from reality and history that it renders the man behind the myth almost totally irrelevant. That’s such a shame, because those who (literally) buy into the iconography are ignorant to all that Che (the man) actually represented. They would be embarrassed if they knew that he also stood for oppression not unlike that which he overthrew. Thus, any narrative offering a “comprehensive” account of his revolutionary career that merely boosts Che the symbol is part of the problem.
Some critics have written that Soderbergh’s “Che” is less about the man than the effects of his symbol on his revolutionary movement, as well as the nuts-and-bolts of guerrilla-style revolution. So I’m open to the idea that perhaps Che’s dark side doesn’t fit well into whatever Soderbergh is trying to do. But it still bears the responsibility of continuing the naive Che myth, just like The Motorcycle Diaries bore that responsibility. As such, noting what the movies fail to mention is a crucial part of the discourse surrounding them, even if it’s only in the form of a caveat. That should be a good way to counter those who claim to be unbiased and objective about Che while holding him up as a benevolent symbol, as some of the commenters here have done.
The man fought and died for what he believed in. I think people should just sit and read and learn about this man and be objective.
I personally loved what Soderbergh and Del Toro and crew have done, they have brought Che back into the light again. That is why his star will always shine brightly. These 2 new films are History in the making. Well done BDT and Soderbergh Crew.
For all those that don’t agree with the “politics” of the film- you are scared rabbits- While I am far from a socialist I do have the ability to respect anyone who stands up and fight for what he thinks is right! Even if I disagree.
At least Che didn’t sit on his ass and dictate after Cuba- he fought on! And died for his cause.
What have any of you done lately?
There is a revolution RIGHT HERE< RIGHT NOW—-walk a mile i(if you can) with a man before you judge him and see more than a 3 minute trailer before you judge a movie!
Were any of you at The Revolution March in DC on July 12 this year? Did you even know there was one?
Have you heard of or read “The Revolution- A Manifesto” by Dr. Ron Paul.
I doubt it- even waving a sign would be too much trouble for people who obviously have nothing better to do than sit on your fat lazy American asses and troll the internet finding things to be “offended” by and HATE.
He’s DEAD He’s GONE..what exactly are you hating? It’s just a movie…it won’t bite! But it might make you think or is that what you are all REALLY afraid of? You might LEARN SOMETHING!
“(anybody who says Beverly Hills Chihuahua — banned for 3 days)”
What would a “Space Chimps” reference get you? Vanishment?
Looks very authentic indeed. Now I want to see it more than ever. Lets hope the finished product doesn’t succumb to studio grooming.
The Dark Knight
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Watchmen
Che
You guys are so right. These are among the handful of trailers this year that I’ve watched over and over.
I guess Che grabs me because
(1) it’s the biggest surprise
(2) it’s completely beyond what I was expecting (ok, maybe that’s the same as reason #1)
(3) it really makes me hungry to see more
(4) …it’s the one I haven’t watched 40 times, yet.
what are some other top trailers this year?
(anybody who says Beverly Hills Chihuahua — banned for 3 days)
Not a bad trailer. But I would say virtually EVERY trailer for The Dark Knight would make it the best so far. Benjamin Button, Burn After Reading, and Shotgun Stories were also good.
Looking at Che in MOTORCYCLE DIARIES, and with Cuba…you wonder what happened with him. After toppling the Cuban government, he had an opportunity to do something good, something different.
Instead, he and his clique, to quote a Johnny Cash song…”New Boss same like Old Boss.”
But a good drama could be made from all that. I mean, contradictions between myth/reality, rebel/authority, etc.
For example, look at PATTON. Brilliant strategic mastermind, cultured southern aristocrat (dying breed), but wow what an egotistical madman at his worst.
But a good movie, and it won the Oscar.
As much as I love Ebert, his review of “Diarios de Motocicleta” was disturbing in that he did not appreciate the film but basically reviewed Che, the man, who he truly despises.
KTrout,
That was very droll.
Rob
“That murdering bastard doesn’t deserve to be idolized like this.”
Guess you won’t be going to see W. either…
The trailer looks interesting. Not the best of the year, but pretty good. Soderbergh has always done pretty great stuff, so this definitely interests me (also Del Toro looks to be giving a fantastic performance there).
On a sidenote, why the name-calling XanderLJ? It seems kind of low. I would like to suggest that you ought to just make your point, rather than go on and on about morons, 2nd grade educations, and idiots. I’m just sayin’ it sounds kind of awkwardly infantile.
That murdering bastard doesn’t deserve to be idolized like this.
I have to agree with Brian that the third Dark Knight trailer was the best so far, and I also loved the Benjamin Button trailer. This one is good, too, though.
It’s an interesting trailer, but I don’t know is enough for an Oscar Consideration. The principal question is still… When the real release date?…
Xander… I live in Venezuela a country that is going the way of Cuba. So if you want we can trade places. I don’t mind living in PR.
“I hope this film fails. I’m against anything Che/Revolution/Cuba. I’m sure it might be hit where I live since the goverment here is a Fidel/Che/Cuba/Revolution loving one.”
Wow, what a baffling idiot you are, Armando! You’re against Cuba? What a fucking moronic, 2nd grade education statement to make, newbie!
I personally loathe Castro, and think Che was a man with good intentions who succumbed to a poisonous and violent manner to enforce his ideology (sort of a Harvey Dent figure…lol), but I have nothing against Cuba in itself, and I’m certainly not moronic or right-wing enough to be automatically against any film that depicts the history of them. Even if they portray him in a positive light which I might disagree with, I can still admire the film as an artistic achievement. Benicio Del Toro is one of the five best actors working today (and, after Heath Ledger’s tragic death, probably the premier actor when it comes to conveying haunting understatement), so I’ll see ANYTHING he does.
As for the trailer? ooops, sorry, didn’t see it. Just read Armando’s rant and had to reply. I’ll check it out and then comment. They filmed a lot of the film here in Puerto Rico, and two close friends of mine appear in the film, so I certainly hope it’s up to par with Soderbergh’s best work (“sex, lies”, “Out Of Sight”, “Traffic”).
Ooops, i should have caught my typo. It should be “. . . is still Watchmen”.
I think the best trailer is still the Watchmen
I hope this film fails. I’m against anything Che/Revolution/Cuba. I’m sure it might be hit where I live since the goverment here is a Fidel/Che/Cuba/Revolution loving one.
Don’t even have to understand the language to get chills. Damn good trailer.
But the best? Watchmen.
Awesome trailer, but as far as “best trailer of the year goes” that’s clearly “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
This is being released in full, or in the supposed two halves (The Argentine and Guerrilla)?
And which half is actually better?
could be good or a disaster, you never know with these things
I would have to say that the third Dark Knight trailer is still the best trailer I’ve seen all year. And the full Burn After Reading trailer, but this is pretty great.
A thing of beauty.
But is it even coming out this year? Who’s going to want to distribute a 4 hour foreign language movie about a communist that’s only getting mixed reviews
So they really are going ahead with this 3/4 hour edit instead of the 2 movie plan? Interesting.
Well, pass or fail, CHE will certainly be interesting, no?