Volcanicity
14th July 2011, 11:50
From the Morning Star:
If there is one adjective to describe Fidel Castro it has to be indestructible.
That's not just a reference to his longevity but rather a definition of his spirit.He is also an intensely private person.
So it's a formidable challenge to attempt any kind of account of a man's life regarded by his German biographer, Volker Skierka, as having few equals in modern politics in terms of "intellect, education and knowledge, looks, charisma and charm."
When graphic artist Reinhard Kleist took on the task of creating the images, he had Skierka at his side.
Narrating anybody's life in the form of a long strip cartoon - which is essentially what a graphic novel is - requires enormous preparation and complex, time-consuming and meticulous research.
Kleist scores high in all those departments but most importantly his drawings are uniquely absorbing.
Precise brush and pen strokes instantly capture scenes and convey their drama.
The varied frame sizes and compositional angles, the light contrasts, gestures and emotions projected through acutely observed facial expression are masterly rendered, creating a dynamic and informative narrative.
Castro's likeness is uncanny throughout and Kleist describes his profile enthusiastically as that of a "Greek god."
The retrospective narrative is delivered by Karl Mertens, a young German reporter who grew up in Latin America and who is fascinated by the rebels in Sierra Maestra.
He gets a magazine to send him to Cuba as a correspondent and eventually decides to stay on until the present time.
Kleist says the device was necessary as he himself was an outsider and therefore could not speak for the Cuban people.
His alter ego Karl, intent on impartial observation, lives through all the trials and tribulations of the revolution.
He believes in its political goals and they both go through the ageing process side by side.
Perhaps the most moving episode is Fidel's rebellious childhood, characterised by an exceptional sense of social justice and a sharp wit that led him, aged 12, to try to organise strikes at his father's farm.
What follows is a black-and-white kaleidoscope of familiar and less-known events - the strikingly drawn drama of the sailing of Granma, the Marita Lorenz affair, the parting with Che and the Mariel exodus all made the final edit as Kleist tested the patience of his publisher by continuously asking to be given more pages.
During the '70s as the sugar price rockets Castro, machete in hand, leads the harvesting of sugar cane by example.
But the goal of a million tonnes every 17 days falls short.
He attributes the failure to himself and the leadership, admitting that building socialism is hard but a proud and dignified endeavour.
A great majority of Castro's utterances in the book are verbatim, Kleist confirms.
When asked what interpretation he puts on the words of Bolivar uttered by Fidel in the last frame of the book that "All who have served the revolution have ploughed the sea," he explains that no effort is ever in vain.
"We all have to expect to continue no matter how difficult or hopeless the circumstances may be, or appear to be, until change is achieved."
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/107010.
If there is one adjective to describe Fidel Castro it has to be indestructible.
That's not just a reference to his longevity but rather a definition of his spirit.He is also an intensely private person.
So it's a formidable challenge to attempt any kind of account of a man's life regarded by his German biographer, Volker Skierka, as having few equals in modern politics in terms of "intellect, education and knowledge, looks, charisma and charm."
When graphic artist Reinhard Kleist took on the task of creating the images, he had Skierka at his side.
Narrating anybody's life in the form of a long strip cartoon - which is essentially what a graphic novel is - requires enormous preparation and complex, time-consuming and meticulous research.
Kleist scores high in all those departments but most importantly his drawings are uniquely absorbing.
Precise brush and pen strokes instantly capture scenes and convey their drama.
The varied frame sizes and compositional angles, the light contrasts, gestures and emotions projected through acutely observed facial expression are masterly rendered, creating a dynamic and informative narrative.
Castro's likeness is uncanny throughout and Kleist describes his profile enthusiastically as that of a "Greek god."
The retrospective narrative is delivered by Karl Mertens, a young German reporter who grew up in Latin America and who is fascinated by the rebels in Sierra Maestra.
He gets a magazine to send him to Cuba as a correspondent and eventually decides to stay on until the present time.
Kleist says the device was necessary as he himself was an outsider and therefore could not speak for the Cuban people.
His alter ego Karl, intent on impartial observation, lives through all the trials and tribulations of the revolution.
He believes in its political goals and they both go through the ageing process side by side.
Perhaps the most moving episode is Fidel's rebellious childhood, characterised by an exceptional sense of social justice and a sharp wit that led him, aged 12, to try to organise strikes at his father's farm.
What follows is a black-and-white kaleidoscope of familiar and less-known events - the strikingly drawn drama of the sailing of Granma, the Marita Lorenz affair, the parting with Che and the Mariel exodus all made the final edit as Kleist tested the patience of his publisher by continuously asking to be given more pages.
During the '70s as the sugar price rockets Castro, machete in hand, leads the harvesting of sugar cane by example.
But the goal of a million tonnes every 17 days falls short.
He attributes the failure to himself and the leadership, admitting that building socialism is hard but a proud and dignified endeavour.
A great majority of Castro's utterances in the book are verbatim, Kleist confirms.
When asked what interpretation he puts on the words of Bolivar uttered by Fidel in the last frame of the book that "All who have served the revolution have ploughed the sea," he explains that no effort is ever in vain.
"We all have to expect to continue no matter how difficult or hopeless the circumstances may be, or appear to be, until change is achieved."
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/107010.