Plot
Episodic look at the life of Cuban poet and novelist, Reinaldo Arenas (1943-1990), from his childhood in Oriente province to his death in New York City. He joins Castro's rebels. By 1964, he is in Havana. He meets the wealthy Pepe, an early lover; a love-hate relationship lasts for years. Openly gay behavior is a way to spite the government. His writing and homosexuality get him into trouble: he spends two years in prison, writing letters for other inmates and smuggling out a novel. He befriends Lázaro Gomes Garriles, with whom he lives stateless and in poverty in Manhattan after leaving Cuba in the Mariel boat-lift. When asked why he writes, he replies cheerfully, "Revenge."
Written by
Cunningham O'Keefe, Lázaro Gómez Carriles, Julian Schnabel
Directed by
Julian Schnabel
Crew
Production Countries
United States of America, Mexico
Production Companies
Grandview Pictures, El Mar Pictures
Languages
Español, English
Awards
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 15 wins & 22 nominations total