In 1965, Ernesto "Che" Guevara authored an open letter, published in Uruguay, entitled "Socialism and Man in Cuba." In this extended essay about the past, presents, and future of the Revolution of 1959 , Guevara wrote:
In this period of the building socialism we can see the new man being born. His image is not completely finishedÑit will never be, since the process goes forward hand in hand with the development of new economic form. Éthat each day man are acquiring ever more consciousness oft he need for their incorporation into society, at the same time, of their importance as the motor of society.
Working through the four elements of historical film analysis that we have discussed in class (inflected with the insights gained during the first writing assignment), carefully analyze how one of the following motion pictures created a filmic history of Che's description of the "new man," his society, and their unfinished, in-process natures.
I Am Cuba (1954; Mikhail Kalatozov, dir.)
Memorias del Subdesarollo (1968, Tom‡s GuitiŽrrez Alea, dir.)
Before Night Falls (2000, Julian Schnabel, dir.)
Although you may draw upon outside readings, it is not necessary. Rather, you should bring together a close reading of the Guevara text and the film of your choice. Of course, if you do use the works of others, they should be properly cited.
"Man and Socialism in Cuba" is available in an official translation at http://www.marxists.org/archive/guevara/1965/03/man-socialism.htm.
The Second Writing Assignment is due Monday, June 16, 2008. Your analysis should be no more than five pages (double-spaced and reasonable font size and margins). Please paginate.