Chérevulsion

Apparently yet another movie that explores the legend of Ernesto "Ché" Guevara and the power of a solitary photograph has been made. And surprise, surprise, based on this description, it gives no shrift to his legacy as a cold-blooded murderer.

But there was this acknowledgement by filmmaker Trisha Ziff of the challenge faced by those of us who try to inform others of the real Ché Guevara.

Kids wear Che T-shirts, she continued, "and they don't know who the hell's on their T-shirt. They just wear it because it's cool. And what kind of culture do we live in when that level of ignorance is permissible? I think the only image that still isn't (able to be used) that way is the swastika. Punks wear it on one level to be outrageous, but it doesn't transcend its meaning. It's still locked in its meaning. Skinheads in England wear it because they aspire to Fascist ideas, but it's never lost its meaning. It's always locked in that history. It's almost like the only untouchable film symbol."

Unfortunately, Ziff reveals herself as someone in desperate need of a scholarship to the Ché Guevara Re-Education Program.

"Korda was a fashion photographer and I think he saw through the lens with a very specific kind of aesthetic. The picture's taken from below looking up in this kind of socialist realist heroism. Che was a very good looking charismatic guy with great eyes. I think Korda because of his history photographing beautiful people saw that moment whether consciously or not and he got it. I think part of the allure of Che is that he is an attractive man. The image has that (movie star) quality. He also was a very uncompromising man and he did something that a lot of people don't do -- he lived by what he said and he died for it."

Idiot.