Watch Comandante

Comandante is a 2003 documentary film, directed by Oliver Stone and starring Fidel Castro, Juanita Vera and Oliver Stone himself. The movie showcases a series of interviews conducted by Stone with Fidel Castro, the former President of Cuba. The film was shot in Havana, Cuba in the year 2002. Comandante is an intimate portrait of Fidel Castro, who was the leader of Cuba for more than four decades. The documentary is not a political statement but rather an attempt to present the man behind the leader. Oliver Stone attempts to go beyond the superficial media representations of Castro and portray him as a complex human being with strengths and weaknesses.

The film begins with a disclaimer from Stone, stating that the movie was intended to be released in early 2003, after the Iraq War, and that Stone could not release the film until he received approval from Castro himself. Therefore, Stone came back to Havana one year later in 2002 to record additional footage and re-edit the film.

Throughout the movie, Stone and Castro have a very engaging conversation on a range of topics, from the Cuban Revolution, his relationship with Che Guevara, the Missile Crisis, to his personal life, including his love for baseball and his faith in God. Oliver Stone is able to get Castro to open up about his personal experiences, presenting him as a person, rather than just a political figure.

Comandante also showcases the daily life of Cuban citizens living under Castro's regime. The movie provides insight into the social and economic conditions in Cuba and the importance of education and healthcare in Castro's revolutionary ideals. These ideals have both been praised and criticized throughout the world, and this movie gives viewers the opportunity to see the situation from a new perspective.

In the course of the interviews, Stone attempts to bring up difficult topics such as human rights issues in Cuba, censorship, and Castro's views on homosexuality. Castro's responses to each of these issues are presented in a candid and straightforward manner. He defends his regime's handling of human rights and censorship, highlighting his country's difficult past and the need for stability as well as asserting his support for the LGBT community.

The movie is not limited to the interviews between Stone and Castro, but other interviews are included with other Cuban intellectuals and scholars who provide additional perspectives on the Cuban Revolution and Castro's leadership. In particular, Juanita Vera, Castro's official translator at the time, provides a unique perspective on Castro's leadership style and his role in Cuban society.

Overall, Comandante is a thoughtful and engaging documentary. The film's intimate approach to presenting Fidel Castro not only as a political figure but as a person provides a comprehensive insight into his life and leadership style. It is a fascinating look at one of the most intriguing and controversial figures of the 20th century, and the country he led for more than 50 years.