CASTRO LOVERS WILL LOVE 'FIDEL'.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic FIDEL CASTRO fan clubs around the world undoubtedly will be planning field trips to the theater when Estela Bravo's love-letter documentary ``Fidel'' comes to town. What's that, you say? Castro doesn't have that many fans? Well, there's the rub and the reason why this worshipful wor·ship·ful adj. 1. Given to or expressive of worship; reverent or adoring. 2. Chiefly British Used as a respectful form of address. , one-sided movie seems a little misguided. Any film that doesn't even in passing mention political prisoners, poverty and the boat loads of people who try to escape the country is less a documentary and more propaganda by way of a valentine sealed with a kiss. That's not to say ``Fidel'' is unwatchable. Bravo has unearthed Unearthed is the name of a Triple J project to find and "dig up" (hence the name) hidden talent in regional Australia. Unearthed has had three incarnations - they first visited each region of Australia where Triple J had a transmitter - 41 regions in all. a wealth of fascinating archival footage, including shots of Castro swimming in the Caribbean with his posse of bodyguards, hanging with the Buena Vista Social Club The Buena Vista Social Club was a members club in Havana, Cuba that held dances and musical activities, becoming a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s. and pricelessly charming Edward R. Murrow Noun 1. Edward R. Murrow - United States broadcast journalist remembered for his reports from London during World War II (1908-1965) Edward Roscoe Murrow, Murrow . Bravo also gives us a cavalcade cav·al·cade n. 1. A procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages. 2. A ceremonial procession or display. 3. A succession or series: starred in a cavalcade of Broadway hits. o' stars paying homage to the dictator. There are testimonials from novelists Alice Walker and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, singer Harry Belafonte and director Sydney Pollack, among others. Walker marvels that Castro can't sing or dance. ``It's a good thing he's got all those other good qualities,'' she says. (Pass the stogies, Alice.) We also see Castro glad-handing Jack Nicholson and driving in a Jeep with Ted Turner. When said Jeep breaks down, leaving Castro temporarily stranded, Bravo means to show inconvenience as a political statement. ``Look, he suffers, too!'' Later, she says Castro reminds her of Jesus, who I believe suffered as well. Yes, it's all a bit much, even if it is refreshing to hear a viewpoint that runs counter to the rhetoric that has been coming out of the States for 40-plus years. Still, if Bravo means to demonize de·mon·ize tr.v. de·mon·ized, de·mon·iz·ing, de·mon·iz·es 1. To turn into or as if into a demon. 2. To possess by or as if by a demon. 3. U.S. foreign policy, she could have found a less comical figure than Jesse Helms to spout off on the evils of the Satan Castro. Of course, that might have produced some thoughtful insights and maybe even a reasonable voice of dissent. And Castro, er, Bravo, will have none of that. FIDEL FIDEL FOCUS Interactive Data Entry Language - Two stars (Not rated: nothing objectionable) Director: Estela Bravo. Running time: 1 hr. 31 min. Playing: Laemmle's Playhouse 7 in Pasadena; Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West Hollywood. In a nutshell: A valentine to the Cuban dictator, sealed with a kiss. |
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