Before he changed the world, the world changed him

Islamabad
The Lok Virsa Film Club 'Mandawa' is screening Latin American film ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ today (Saturday) at 6 p.m.
‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ is more than just an Argentinean production. It is an international collaboration in the real sense of the term with a Brazilian director, French photographer, Argentinean composer and lensed at several Latin American exotic locations. Argentina, United States, Chile, Peru, Brazil, England, Germany and France have all collaborated in this venture.
The film is about discovering yourself. Ernesto 'Che' Guevara takes an 8,000 miles trip with his friend Alberto from Brazil to Peru in South America in early fifties. The film explores the heartland of the continent. But this is just on the surface. Che and his friend find out the bitter realities of life, the poverty, the innocence, the deep sense of loss and what lies between who have everything and who have nothing. The reality of life becomes a cause and a reason for the change of our central character that begins to have firm grasp on bitter realities of life and people. People familiar with the Latin American political events know that Che Guevara became a symbol of power for the masses.
The screenplay of the film has been adapted from memoirs of Che and his traveling companion during their transcontinental trip, filled with both elements of spirituality and beauty of the surroundings (if anything comes close to this is American film 'Easy Rider' from 1969).
Director Walter Salles (Oscar nominee for 'Central Station' in 1999) manages to lend a meditative mood and look to the film. Camerawork by Eric Gauter gives a lyrical and mystical look, showing the landscape never seen before on screen. The music played on guitar and synthesizer by Gustavo Santaollala is integrated in the visuals and becomes integral part of the film.
As for plot, theme and action, it is what Hollywood calls a 'buddy road movie' to discover real South America. However, the trip is not just on road. You get to see your two characters just about on everything from motorcycle to boat to truck and on foot.
Director Walter Salles decided to narrate this trip partly because Ernesto later became Che Guevara, a symbol of change for the youth. He brings up a genre where you see adventures (and misadventures!) of a young generation and then that generation grows up. Guevara was a medical student, yet to complete his studies. His traveling partner, a biochemist, both from Argentina. Interestingly, they have not driven a motorcycle before and hit all kind of ditches, dead ends and potholes. They take us to a girlfriend's farm and her father. We get to see forests and plains, deserts and lakes, river and mountains but everywhere even the strangers become friends. Like a good dramatic film, the character changes in the end and begins to take up life differently (he would join Cuban revolution), fight in Congo, Bolivia and like noble heroes die in the end. The scene depicting the past is cleverly shown in black and white.
The author can be reached at aijazzgul@gmail.com