Ernesto Guevara and Motorcycle Diaries

Ernesto Guevara and "Motorcycle Diaries"

"Motorcycle Diaries" is based on a true life story that two men experienced due to their adventurous spirits. It is based on one of Time Magazine's hundred most influential people of the 20th century, a man by the name Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The story in short is a portrayal of how Ernesto "Fuser" Guevara and Alberto Grenado's venture across South America was a huge part of their lives. The trip transformed the way that they thought. It eventually led them to be inspired over their beliefs which led them down the path of a revolutionary and scientist. Ernesto Guevara throughout the movie was shown as a passionate and driven individual. His experiences led him to envision a united continent with equality. Ernesto was an intellectual man who would later earn his doctorate; he wanted to make a difference with everyone he met. One can see how the affects of each encounter Ernesto has throughout the movie changes his view on people, countries, and equality. Ernesto and Alberto witness many social injustices throughout their entire trip. In San Pablo, Ernesto meets the leprosy colony patients; these scenes evoke strong emotion and reveal some of Ernesto Guevara's ideology.

Initially, the scene starts out with Ernesto and Alberto crossing the Amazon River. The leading doctor of the leprosy colony offers gloves for protection, but Ernesto points out that it is not necessary because the leprosy is not contagious. Ernesto and Alberto conclude that it is only symbolic to wear gloves around the leprosy patients, and they decide to not wear them. Arriving on the far side of the Amazon River, away from the side the doctors and nurses sleep, Ernesto and Alberto begin introducing themselves. It is apparent that Ernesto and Alberto are empathetic towards the diseased villagers. The poor living conditions and poverty is easily scene on arrival, the people living on this side of the river have it rough. The director uses long shots to show the whole pan of the village. When speaking with people in the village close-ups are used to show the detail of the diseased patients. Not only do these individuals not have normal commodities, they have a painful disease, and live in what could be considered a dirty farming village. Not wearing gloves sent a very strong message to the patients. The fact that neither of them wore gloves showed the leprosy patients that the men were, in the words of Papa Carlito, "real gentleman," who was a villager at the beginning of the scene. This is a good scene to show the ideals of Ernesto and Alberto, not only were they volunteering in the first place, they were dedicated and were anxious to help to the best of their ability. It showed how Ernesto felt responsible to help the people who had been cast aside by society. After entering the village; Ernesto, Alberto, and the doctor headed toward a young woman patient named Silvia. Upon arriving at Silvia's hut Ernesto learns that Silvia does not want to have a surgery, and is in risk of having to lose her arm. The doctor calls out to Silvia, but she doesn't respond to him. Ernesto asks if he may enter, he does and sits down next to her. Silvia is a weak and timid young woman; it is obvious that the disease has taken