Analysis Of Before Night Falls: Reinaldo Arenas

Before Night Falls: Reinaldo Arenas’ Insight into Literary and Sexual Oppression

The Cuban Revolution began at a time when Cubans could no longer tolerate the American capitalist influence in Cuba. Cubans blamed the United States for their destitutions and for the ruthlessness of American politically supported dictator Fulgencio Batista. Bastia’s administration was inhumane. Of the countless things he did, he annulled the 1940 Constitution that he helped to instate, widened the gap between wealth and poverty and turned United States supplied guns and ammunition on his own people. Fidel Castro and the 26th of July Movement extended hope and freedom to the oppressed people of Cuba. Castro earned the support of the public during his most famous

However, one that did not get to celebrate this was Reinaldo Arenas. Reinaldo Arenas is considered “one of the most talented Cuban writers of his generation.” (Volek 1). He was an outspoken homosexual Cuban author that dared to challenge the revolutionary government in his literacy and was a voice for every Cuban in his situation. The life of Reinaldo Arenas exemplifies the literary and homosexual oppression the post-revolution government introduced to the Cuban public in the form of literary and artistic censorship, Penal Code, homosexual “rehabilitation” camps, and overall ostracization of homosexual

The two hour movie, partially in Spanish, is based off the autobiography of the same title written by Reinaldo Arenas with only a few notable differences. It follows the entire life of Reinaldo from his birth in Cuba to his eventual suicide in New York. Although it is difficult to understand during some scenes, the film does an exemplary job at presenting the issues of literary and homosexual oppression in Cuban through the viewpoint of Reinaldo.

The first twenty minutes of the film follows Reinaldo from his out of wedlock birth to his rebellious teenage years. Reinaldo was born in 1943 prior to the beginning of the revolution. He was raised fatherless by his mother, grandparents, and a house full of women in the rural farmlands of Cuba. Despite this, Reinaldo says, “the splendor of my childhood was unique because of its absolute poverty and absolute freedom.” (Before Night Falls.