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Plot, Details & Awards

The Motorcycle Diaries

Rated R for language.

R In Theaters 09/24/2004 , 128min.
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Plot & Details

Brazilian director Walter Salles Jr. follows up the Golden Globe-nominated Behind the Sun with this filmed adaptation of Argentinian-born Cuban revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara's journals of the same name. The Motorcycle Diaries stars Gael García Bernal (Y Tu Mamá También, Amores Perros) as a young, pre-revolution Guevara, a 23-year-old medical student in 1952 traveling across South America on a motorcycle with his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna), who co-wrote the source material. As they embark on their journey, both young men come of age and find their individual world views broadened farther than they ever expected. The Motorcycle Diaries premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Genre(s): Drama
  • Run Time: 128min.
  • Theatrical Release Date: 09/24/2004
  • DVD Release Date: 02/15/2005
  • Distributor(s): Focus Features
  • Director(s): Walter Salles, Jr.
  • Starring: Gael García Bernal , Rodrigo de la Serna , Mía Maestro , Gustavo Bueno , Jorge Chiarella
  • Themes: Political Unrest,Journey of Self-Discovery,Wanderlust
  • Tone: Poignant,Stirring,Earthy,Bittersweet,Reflective,Warm
  • Keywords: Latin-America,coming-of-age,medical-student,motorcycling,road-trip,self-discovery,social-injustice
  • Country of Origin: USA - Limited (09-24-2004)
  • Language: Spanish

Awards

Academy Awards

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Adapted Screenplay José Rivera Nominated
2004 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Song Jorge Drexler Won

British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Film Music Gustavo Santaolalla Won
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Supporting Actor Rodrigo de la Serna Nominated
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Picture Nominated
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Adapted Screenplay José Rivera Nominated
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Foreign Language Film Won
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Actor Gael García Bernal Nominated
2004 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Cinematography Éric Gautier Nominated

Golden Globes

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Foreign Language Film Nominated

Toronto International Film Festival

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2004 Toronto International Film Festival Film Presented Nominated
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