Crash Course: Che Parts 1 & 2

Steven Soderbergh’s eclectic filmography can be hard to classify, but one thing linking all of his projects across 35 years is ambition. His two-part film about the revolutionary Che Guevara is among his most ambitious, appropriate given how ambitious Che was himself. Soderbergh’s attempt to narrate the life of a revolutionary who cast a long shadow over the 20th century, and whose legacy is disputed to this day has drawn comparisons with David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia; yet Soderbergh’s film could function as a refutation of that film, an anti-epic for a new century.

Over two nights, this class will watch and discuss both halves of Soderbergh’s biopic. Before each film, we’ll cover the basic historical grounding to the successful Cuban revolution and the failed Bolivian expedition that took Che’s life. We will also explore Soderbergh’s film technique, his use of genre, and his attempt to contextualize Che’s ideology for a 21st century audience.

Films:

9/29: CHE PART 1 - THE ARGENTINE (2008, 134 min)

9/30: CHE PART 2 - GUERILLA (2008, 135 min)

This Crash Course will be taught by Hollywood Theatre projectionist, social activist, and a student of philosophy and political theory Evan Burchfield.  

MMU Crash Course classes offer a low-intensity way to explore a filmmaker or genre, in a friendly environment shared with fellow film lovers. Unlike our MMU seminars, Crash Courses offer a more casual approach. There’s no formal lecture or discussion, but films are curated and presented by staff experts.

Enrollment is limited to 18 students.

Questions? Email us at education@moviemadness.org