Che Guevara: The making of an icon

How does a politician – assassinated more than 50 years ago – gradually become a public figure? An extremely vibrant image which shows up where you least expect it. It served as figurehead for the Arab Spring revolutions, from Rabat to Sanaa, whereas we had thought it had been relegated to t-shirts and cigarette lighters. Why has this image become so universal that we are no longer surprised to find it in drawings, graffiti, tattoos and prints on all types of media in all sorts of contexts the world over? How can this image be used to advertise luxury automobiles and also be brandished angrily by indignant agitators? What is the formula that made this figure go viral? This documentary is a journey to investigate and decode a piece of iconography.

Loading countdown...
Cruella

Cruella

2021

The Godfather

The Godfather

1972

The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption

1994

Inception

Inception

2010

Joker

Joker

2019

Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick

2022

Inside Out

Inside Out

2015

Knives Out

Knives Out

2019

A Quiet Place: Day One

A Quiet Place: Day One

2024

A Simple Favor

A Simple Favor

2018

Get Out

Get Out

2017

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street

2013

Parasite

Parasite

2019

Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two

2024

Godzilla vs. Kong

Godzilla vs. Kong

2021

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

2024

Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds

2009

Bullet Train

Bullet Train

2022

The Shining

The Shining

1980