Che (2008) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie spans several key locations in Cuba and abroad. Havana serves as the vibrant Caribbean capital where the revolutionary movement gains momentum. The Sierra Maestra mountains are depicted as the revolutionaries' stronghold, representing guerrilla warfare and rural resistance. Additional locations include Mexico City, where revolutionary plans are formed, and New York City, where Che delivers an important UN speech addressing international politics.

• havana
• sierra maestra
• mexico city
• new york
• cuba
• locations
• setting

The film covers the era from the mid-1950s through 1964. It begins with the Cuban Revolution in 1956 and culminates with the revolutionary victory in 1959, followed by Che Guevara's international activism continuing through 1964. This period was defined by Cold War tensions, anti-imperialist movements, and significant political upheaval both within Cuba and globally.

• 1950s
• 1960s
• cold war
• historical period
• cuban revolution
• time period

The movie explores two central themes. Revolution serves as a means of radical change against oppression and corruption, highlighting guerrilla warfare, political activism, and the sacrifices involved in overthrowing a regime. Anti-imperialism is portrayed through Guevara's speeches and actions, emphasizing sovereignty, national pride, and global solidarity against foreign domination, particularly during the Cold War context of the 1960s.

• revolution
• anti-imperialism
• themes
• cuban revolution
• political activism

Che Guevara is depicted as a committed revolutionary leader with strategic brilliance and relentless determination. An Argentine doctor who joined Fidel Castro's cause, he struggles with personal health issues but remains passionate about his vision of social justice. His character embodies idealism, resolve, and the complexities of leadership in wartime.

• che guevara
• revolutionary
• leader
• social justice
• fidel castro

Fidel Castro is portrayed as a charismatic and strategic figure who collaborates closely with Che Guevara. His leadership qualities and political acumen are evident as he guides the Cuban revolution from its beginnings in the Sierra Maestra mountains to victory. He acts as a unifying force for the revolutionary movement and the subsequent government.

• fidel castro
• leader
• revolutionary
• cuban revolution
• charismatic

The Sierra Maestra mountains serve as the revolutionaries' primary stronghold during the Cuban Revolution. This mountainous region in southeastern Cuba symbolizes guerrilla warfare and rural resistance, where Che and fellow fighters conducted operations against Batista's forces. The harsh terrain becomes both a tactical advantage and a testing ground for the rebel army.

• sierra maestra
• mountains
• guerrilla warfare
• cuba
• rebel stronghold

The movie presents anti-imperialism as a central ideological pillar, portrayed through Che Guevara's speeches and diplomatic efforts. The film underscores the importance of national sovereignty and resistance against foreign domination, particularly American influence in Latin America. This theme is emphasized through Che's UN speech in New York and his efforts to inspire revolutionary movements across South America.

• anti-imperialism
• sovereignty
• american imperialism
• international politics
• cold war

Lisa Howard is a journalist who serves as a narrative device connecting the revolution to international audiences. She engages with Che Guevara through interviews, providing insights into his ideology and the revolutionary movement. Her perspective represents the external world's view of the Cuban Revolution and helps convey the revolutionary message to a broader global audience.

• lisa howard
• journalist
• interviews
• media
• international perspective

The movie portrays the Cuban Revolution as a pivotal struggle against a corrupt dictatorship, emphasizing the military tactics, political debates, and personal sacrifices involved. The narrative highlights both the victory and the declaration that the harder work of revolution 'starts now,' acknowledging the controversial legacy of revolutionary methods and the ongoing challenges of implementing revolutionary ideals.

• cuban revolution
• batista
• revolutionary victory
• guerrilla warfare
• political struggle

Viewers should understand that the movie takes place during the Cold War era, when tensions between the United States and Soviet Union shaped global politics. The Cuban Revolution succeeded in overthrowing dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, establishing a communist government that became a focal point of East-West confrontation. The film's timeframe through 1964 captures Che Guevara's efforts to export revolutionary ideology throughout Latin America.

• cold war
• cuban revolution 1959
• fulgencio batista
• historical context
• communism