Before Night Falls (2000)

A biopic presenting both the life of writer Reinaldo Arenas and the oppression of Castro's Cuba.

Reinaldo grows up in a small village of abandoned women and their children in rural Cuba. His teacher recognizing his giftedness in writing, recommends that he continues his studies. He is nearly an adult when La Revolución hits Cuba and when he finishes his studies works at the National Library and begins authoring books. His books begin to draw attention and so does his homosexual lifestyle as homosexual activity is strictly forbidden in Cuba.

The strength of this film is that it intimately portrays Arena's struggle to be himself and express himself despite the ongoing persecution and censorship. Javier Bardem gives a strong performance that brings a pathos to what might be a typical story of hardship.

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