October 04, 2005
South Florida Library Spurns Che
There is proof of intelligent life out there. As evidence of this, I present to you the following story by the Miami Herald's Natalie McNeal which covered the pulling of the Che love-fest film Motorcycle Diaries from a Hispanic Heritage Month film series at the Southwest Regional Library in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
It's interesting and noteworthy that Pembroke Pines is basically a distant suburb of Miami, and it's not an area with a high concentration of Cuban-Americans, although that's gradually changing. Thus, the decision the library made was likely due in part to the solid principles of the person/people who made the decision to pull the film, not immense pressure from the community. Yes, there was a group that complained about the showing of the film, but the library ultimately had the final say. No one can say that the Miami Mafia had it's dirty little hands involved in this (OK OK, it was the Pembroke Pines Mafia instead).
Another interesting note: The Sun-Sentinel, which is Broward County's home newspaper, did not post this story anywhere in its online version. Wonder if Madeline Baro is out of town? Or was she protesting herself?
Here is the story in italics, with my comments interspersed in regular font:
Pulling of Guevara film sparks protest
A Broward public library was the target of demonstrators after it rescheduled a film about revolutionary Che Guevara during Hispanic Heritage Month.
About 20 protesters picketed the Southwest Regional Library in Pembroke Pines on Monday, upset that it postponed showing a film about revolutionary Che Guevara during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The library planned to show The Motorcycle Diaries, a biographical film about a young Che Guevara, who traveled throughout South America with a friend and witnessed poverty and injustice.
Guevara, an Argentine who was slain in 1967, was a Cuban guerrilla leader and an icon of left-wing political ideals. During the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, Guevara advocated a nuclear showdown with the United States.
Library officials pulled the film after patrons complained about showing the film as part of a ''celebration'' for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Demonstrators chanting outside the library's entrance shouted ''Libertad!'' and carried signs that read ''Defend Free Speech,'' ''Shame'' and ''No to Censorship.'' Some wore T-shirts with Guevara's face emblazoned across the front.
Thanks for making yourselves look like the fools you truly are.
''The library system is kowtowing to the extreme right-wing elements in this community,'' said Jack Lieberman, a South Florida activist.
Spoken like a true leftist.
The library rescheduled the film to be shown Nov. 7, outraging Guevara supporters.
The film was shown in theatres across the country, and now it is being postponed a month. And these idiots still have the nerve to complain? The answer is below.
The library says it did nothing wrong.
''We did not censor the film,'' said Eileen Cobb, associate director for public service, Broward County libraries division.
It's obvious to anyone with even half a brain that this is not censorship. The library has every right to show and not show whatever it feels.
The library system has 49 copies of the movie.
Note to protesters: There should be no problem getting a copy of the movie, so shut up, go home, and stick that piece of tripe into your DVD/VCR.
In place of The Motorcycle Diaries, the library showed Valentín, a film about a 9-year-old boy who lives with his grandmother in Argentina.
AHA! Now we know the person behind all this: Valentin (hint, hint) ;)
The peaceful protest was supported by the Broward AntiWar Coalition, Bolivarian Circle of Miami and Miami for Peace.
There's our answer, ladies and gentlemen. The names of the organizations protesting speak for themselves.
Protesters called for patrons to write library staff and contact Broward County Commissioners.
Paul Lefrak, a librarian at the Fort Lauderdale branch, spent Monday evening protesting his employer's position.
''I am disappointed in the library for capitulating to political pressure,'' Lefrak said.
Political pressure from whom in Broward County, Mr. Lefrak? Don't worry, they'll be showing it soon enough.
Posted by Robert M at October 4, 2005 02:37 PM
Comments
I went to that movie in New york (Upper East Side). I had traveled in South America and was interested in Bernal as an actor. At the conclusion the audience broke into applause. I turned to my husband and said where was act two: the evolution of a murdererous thug. I received several dirty looks and one venemous look from a lady who happens to live in my building. None of them had ever read any books about Cuba, or Che and were shivering with delight over the confirmation of their opnions about the CIA.
Posted by: Reader at October 4, 2005 03:05 PM
"Defend Free Speech! No to Censorship!"
It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly stupid these leftists are. The first thing that goes under a leftist regime is free speech. followed, immediately of course, by strict censorship of all that isnt leftist.
Wankers the lot of them.
Posted by: Val Prieto at October 4, 2005 03:28 PM
Reader:
I also happened to catch the film in the upper east side in NYC where I live since we moved from Cuba a few years ago. I know the feeling of getting the poison and twisted eyes. I wonder if it had anything to do with the t-shirt I wore to the theater?
http://thoseshirts.com/noche.html
Posted by: Juan C. Garcia at October 4, 2005 03:38 PM
I think the library should give equal opportunity to all sides - shouldn't it be asked to show Leni Riefenstahls' "Triumph of the Will," or "Jud Süss?" Come now, leftie-loonies! Insist on seeing these fine examples of quality politically-educational cinema! It is only fair and balanced this be so, isn't it??
Posted by: Alberto Quiroga at October 4, 2005 04:23 PM
Heh.
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at October 4, 2005 04:29 PM
Did you see the photo of these stupid protestors with their Che shirts arguing for free speech....
http://www.miami.com/images/miami/miamiherald/12814/thumb_164202349502.jpg
Too bad I'm not in the Pines today, I happen to be wearing my anti-che t-shirt today ... http://www.thoseshirts.com/images/square-med-nochegr.gif
Posted by: Mike Pancier at October 4, 2005 05:20 PM
Pulling the movie is a form of censorship. The correct thing to do would've been to lobby inclusion of filmmakers like Augustin Blazquez, or whoever. Why censor when you add to the diversity of opinions? That said, it's not a huge deal. Like Val said, the library system has several copies and the movie will be screened in another month. But perhaps the library wasn't focusing on politics, thus I can understand the Che film being excluded.
Where are the charismatic ANTI-Che films? All I see is criticism. The best way to critique a film is by making another film. I'd really like to see an articulate argument from the exiles.
Posted by: Fielding at October 4, 2005 10:39 PM
The negative aspects of Hispanic heritage shouldn't be ignored, but they should also be proportional. che, castro and chavez are abberations. If the library was showing movies 24/7 for the entire month I guess a Che movie showing once might fit in the whole picture, but I doubt that was the case.
Not that it's allowed, but it'd be like white folks having a "White Heritage Month" and showing a Ted Bundy movie to observe it.
Come to think of it, I imagine the left would approve of that.
Posted by: Jay at October 4, 2005 10:39 PM
I never went to see the movie, simply because I refuse to pay to see someone that I despise. I'm glad the movie was rescheduled to November.
Posted by: A. Gonzalez at October 5, 2005 12:53 AM
I do believe Fielding's idea of an anti-che movie has merit. There is plenty of material to use, and quite a few living witnesses to the true ways of che(ckmated)who no doubt would be glad to act as consultants. Perhaps this is something to be "floated" by Spielberg - maybe that can be his opportunity to atone for his fidel-fawning. However, there are talented Cuban-American (or American-Cuban) producers, directors, actors, and actresses out there who could take on this project. Surely there are friendly sources of funding out there for this project too. And the beauty of it is that, more and more, films can be distributed/marketed without resorting to the "usual suspects" in the distribution chain.
Posted by: Alberto Quiroga at October 5, 2005 06:47 AM
'I am disappointed in the library for capitulating to political pressure,'' Lefrak said.
This is a joke. In January of this year the head of a library system in Mississippi refused to shelve copies of John Stewart's satirical book about America, because it had nudity in it. The library community around the country went totally bananas until he broke down and agreed to make it available.
Was Mr. Lefrak also disappointed when that library capitulated to political pressure?
Posted by: Scott at October 5, 2005 09:14 AM
I would never pay to see this kind of trash in the theaters and Neither would spend a cent worth of electricity to let it on my TV set.
That is only for masochists and frustrated leftists.
Let them go to Cuba, Venezuela or North Korea to get what they deserve.
Posted by: Luis R Vazquez at October 6, 2005 01:07 AM