Soderbergh's Che debuts at Cannes

Updated 13.03 Fri May 23 2008

Keywords: cannes film festival, cuba, steven soderbergh, che guevara

Steven Soderbergh's four-hour double bill about the life of Argentine guerilla Ernesto "Che" Guevara has debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Spanish-language film which may be released in two-parts titled "The Argentine" and "Guerilla" stars Benicio del Toro as the revolutionary.

"As I went into the research of the character I became more like a deer in the headlights" - Benicio del Toro

For Oscar-winning del Toro playing the role was a daunting task he said: "As I went into the research of the character I became more like a deer in the headlights, more afraid of approaching him because I kept learning."

Soderbergh who won the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or for best film in 1989 with Sex, Lies & Videotape, said he was fascinated by the character of Guevara, who has become a global symbol of rebellion.

The film looks at Guevara's role in the Cuban uprising before moving to his campaign and eventual death in Bolivia.

The film's Cannes debut was greeted with excitement from the celebrity fans in attendance which included Hollywood A-lister Natalie Portman and former boxer Mike Tyson.