The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta)

This is not a tale of heroic feats.

It's about two lives running parallel for a while, with common aspirations and similar dreams.

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, 1952.

The plan: 8,000 thousand kilometers in four months.

The method: Improvisation.

The goal: To explore the Latin America we only know from books.

The Motorcycle Diaries

Equipment: "The Mighty One..."

...an aged, leaky 1939 Norton 500.

The pilot: Alberto Granado.

A chubby 29 years old, friend and biochemist, self proclaimed scientific vagabond.

Alberto's dream: Crown the trip with his 30th birthday.

Co-pilot: Me, Ernesto Guevara de la Serna.

"El Fuser", 23 years old.

- Is Ernesto really going away? - No, Ernesto is staying.

Ernesto, could you takes us with you, please?!

Sorry, Dad, but the more you tell me--

You're one semester away from becoming a doctor.

That can wait.

Medical student.

Leprosy specialist.

Amateur Rugby player.

Nice shot, Fuser!

And occasionally, asthmatic.

Date of departure, January 4th.

The route: Buenos Aires, west to Patagonia and into Chile.

Then north, 6,000 thousand meters up the rugged spine of the Andes to Machu Picchu.

From there, the San Pablo Leper Colony in the Peruvian Amazon.

The final destination: The Guajira Peninsulain in Venezuela...

...at the northern tip of the continent.

We settle at the Guajira Peninsula, the tip of this great continent...

...mouths full of wine and two tropical beauties, hopeful sisters, nice music.

The beer's good huh?

- By January 4th, you'll have finished your exams, right? - Yes.

- If you'd like, I'll detour to Miramar, see your little girlfriend. - How long?

A couple of days.

- Look Fuser, check out that guy over there. - What?

Do you want your life to end up like that?

You don't want to end up like that, Fuser.

All you want is to get laid in every country in South America.

In every town too if we're lucky enough. Adds a little spice.

What we had in common: our restlessness, our dreaming spirit...

...and a love for the open road.

Buenos Aires, Argentina January 4th, 1952

Let's go Ernestito, we don't have all day.

- Isn't this too much stuff? - Just enough. Norton 500, a real motorcycle.

Your son will be well taken care of, don't worry.

Son, you should expect some difficult times.

I've always dreamt of doing something like this.

I confess that if I were a few years younger, I'd climb onto that motorcycle with you.

Imagine I'm doing it for both of us.

- 10 years planning this trip, Uncle. - You were a kid.

Meanwhile...

...I trust you.

So, when's the revolution coming?

Here? In about a century.

- Are you leaving already? - Yes, I’m off.

The only thing you need to worry about is taking your medicine...

...and writing to me.

The most beautiful letters you'll ever read, Mom.

- Goodbye, my darling. - You'll see.

Bye little sister, take care!

- Bye. - Bye man.

Send me postcards.

Okay, enough sentimentality or I’ll start crying.

Take care, okay?

So, just like Don Quixote had Rocinante, and Saint Martin had his mule...

We have "The Mighty One".

- Yeah, that pisses oil. - Yeah, she pisses oil, what I’m trying to say is right now...

...young Fuser and myself are embarking on a journey to the farthest reaches of the human spirit...

...where we will encounter new lands, hear new anthems, eat new fruits--

Granado, I'm holding you responsible. If anything happens to Ernesto, I'm going to hunt you down.

Put on the scarf, honey.

Don't worry ma'am, he'll come back to become the doctor we all want him to be.

He better be.

It's time to go!

Animal!

Dear Mom, Buenos Aires is behind us.

Gone is "this wretched life".

The faculty, the uninspired lectures, the paper and medical exams.

All of Latin America is ahead of us.

From now on, we only trust "The Mighty One".

I wish you could see us. We look like outlaws, commanding attention everywhere we go.

Slam it, Mial! Put her into orbit!

Don't quit on me Mighty one!

- What happened, Mial? - Fucking shit!

I'm glad we've left civilization behind, and are now closer to the earth.

Wait, something is coming out...

...something is coming out.

Fuser, are you alright?

What's up, little one?

You alright puppy?

You okay?

- What the fuck is that? - What the fuck does it look like?

- A fucking dog?! - You're a fucking shitty driver!

Fuck you! What is that dog doing on the bike?!

It's for Chichina and his name is "Come-back".

Pick up the bike.

Miramar, Argentina January 13th, 1952

Where the fuck are we, Switzerland?

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Chichina? - She's inside with the rest of the family.

That bike's not doing so well.

Esteban, please tell us about your trip.

It was fantastic, Don Horacio. I had the opportunity to take a seminar in Cambridge...

...and spend a couple weeks in London, a fascinating city.

- Oh, what a privilege. - Yes it was.

- Esteban is about to get his doctorate, right? - Yes

- In medicine? - No, Law.

Oh, law.

It's your turn now.

I've never seen a pig who liked to dance, never.

Come on.

Knock it off.

- With this foot, one back, back. - What are you laughing at?

I'm laughing at--

- What are you laughing at? - You.

Tonight?

My dad asked aunt Roxanna to not take her eyes off of me.

My mom promised the Lady of the Valley she would walk to her sanctuary if we broke up.

Don't your parents realize the deeper you bury the diamonds, the more determined pirates are to steal them?

Believe me, this diamond wouldn't mind being stolen.

Dance.

Look at them.

Let's check out the bathroom.

- Good night, girls. - Good night.

Aunt Roxanna, which room do I get?

Get away, Kamba!

- How long did you say we'd be here? - You know how long.

Two?

- And how long has it been? - Are you gonna use wire in the operating room, too?

Six days, Fuser.

Someone will see us.

If you'd stay we could do many things, Ernesto, but only if you'd stay.

I didn't like the sound of that.

What do you want me to say?

- That I’m going to wait for you? - I told you I’m coming back.

- Yes, I have the dog to prove it. - You don't like him?

What do you want Ernesto, what do you want to hear?

That I'll wait forever, that I'll wait months on end for you to return?

- What's with you? - What do you want?

What do you want?

I'd like you to stay like this forever, quiet.

I want to look at you, cause I won't see you for a long time.

Of course I'll wait for you, but please don't take an eternity.

- Define "eternity". - You're on thin ice, mister.

I won't touch you again.

Oh no, I hurt you. Did I hurt you?

That was a trick, a very bad trick.

Okay, lovebirds, it's time to go.

Fuser.

Take care, Miss Ferreyra.

Thanks for everything.

On the boat I heard the moist slap of bare feet and foresaw faces dark with hunger.

My heart was a pendulum between her and the street.

I don't know what strength broke me free from her eyes, loose from her arms.

She remained clouded by tears, her anguish hidden by the rain.

- Is that Lorca? - No.

- Neruda? - No.

- Who? - I don't remember

I'm getting snot all over this.

So with Chichina, nothing?

Even after you gave her a purebred German Shepherd, nothing?

At least tell me you saw one tit, one little tit.

Ah, so you saw her titties, then. Alright, my man!

Scalpel.

Scalpel.

North American Dollars?

- Fifteen. - Chichina?

Yup.

That girl's perfect for you, I've always said so. Now we'll be able to eat like kings.

- No. - A succulent protein-filled meal.

She gave me money in case we make it to the United States. She asked me to buy her a bathing suit.

I told her I would.

- What? - Pretend this money doesn't exist, it's off limits.

Fucking moron, he's testing me...

Are you talking to the bike again?

What the hell are you thinking? That girl's got you by the balls!

- Fuser! - Don't get all worked up, fatty.

- Good afternoon. - Hello.

Piedra de Águila, Argentina January 29th, 1952

- How's the bike feel? - The wire is making wonders, it works great!

Son of a bitch...

You alright, Fuser?

Damn curve.

Son of a...

Look at the exhaust pipe. Goddamn it.

Get more stakes! I've run out!

- Wait, wait, don't bust my balls! - Pass the stakes!

Just grab it!

- You had to choose this spot, asshole! - You're the one that chose it!

- Hold on to that side! - You hold on to your side first!

- The ground is fucking wet! - What the fuck do you want me to do?

- I just can't! - Come on!

No... Fuck!

- No, the river is taking it! - Grab it, grab it!

- No! - It's gone!

Just take it!

Why don't we go up to that ranch?

With those snobs? We should ask for help over here, with the common people.