Volume CXXXIII, Number 4 October 3, 2003 f

Strawberry film treat kicks off OUT Week
DAVIN MICHAELS
COLUMNIST

1993's Strawberry and Chocolate (Fresa y Chocolate), is a Mexican-Spanish film (shown with English subtitles). Set in Havanna, Cuba, this film tells the story of a repressed, homosexual artist, Diego (Jorge Perugorria) who falls in love with a young, straight, homophobic political science student, David (Vladimir Cruz). David and Diego both have similar views, but it takes a great deal of rejection, suspicion, frustration, and a woman, Nancy (Mirta Ibarra) to bring these two together. This wonderful story views a great friendship and love that overcomes incomprehension and intolerance.

The film is directed by Tomas Gutierrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabio, who also directed Guantanamera (1995).

Strawberry and Chocolate is a film that tries to reach out to a wide range of viewers and address very important concerns relating to the subject of homosexuality and homophobia as well as love and friendship. Haliday Douglas, the president of the BGSA said, "I think, in kicking-off OUT Week with a film that unites in many ways the so-called 'gay' and 'straight' worlds in a positive but not overly unrealistic light a great tone will be set for the themes of unity and pride and warmth that much of OUT Week aims to epitomize."

In a strong effort to make itself more involved on campus, the BGSA is celebrating OUT Week this year with a variety of activities, the first of which will be the BFS/BGSA presentation of Strawberry and Chocolate. The following week will be filled with lots of other activities and ways of reaching out to the community such as chalkings, Union decorations, tabling, color theme days, the "Come Out & Play" dance, and a panel discussion.

Strawberry and Chocolate will be shown on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in the Beam Classroom in the VAC and on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Smith Auditorium in Sills Hall. We hope you enjoy this special treat!

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