-
I'm so thirsty...
-
...and my feet hurt.
-
I have rocks in my shoe.
-
I'm sure they're going to kill us.
-
Why do they want to kill us if we didn't do anything?
-
One day my father left us
-
and went to the U.S. when the war started.
-
My mom didn't come out to say goodbye.
-
And she told me that I was now the man of the house.
-
But first I had to go to the bathroom.
-
"Two wings. Who had two wings?"
-
"Two wings to fly."
-
"This afternoon on the mountain, I almost had them.
-
...with the crazy with to spread my wings and fly over the sleeping sea."
-
No, no now!
-
Help me, Fito!
-
Help me!
-
Mom is coming home.
-
Excuse me.
-
I had to walk Antonio and Fito home.
-
They can't walk themselves home?
-
You know how chicken they are.
-
Don't come home late again.
-
These soldiers aren't playing.
-
One day, God forbid, they'll grab a rifle and shoot you.
-
You understand me?
-
Yes mommy.
-
Temo! Temo! Temo!
-
Temo! Temo! Temo!
-
We were all scared of turning 12.
-
...because that's when the army takes you.
-
I had one year left.
-
You know, Ancha? Me and you are alike.
-
We are! We're both little!
-
Yes, I'm little.
-
Little in size, but not up here.
-
Ancha was my friend.
-
Everyone said he was a fish brain.
-
Thank you, Anchita.
-
But he was the only one that wasn't scared to have a birthday.
-
Good, God bless!
-
Hi, farty sister.
-
Where were you?
-
It's late.
-
Take care of your brother and sister, OK? Don't worry.
-
Rosita!
-
Don't feed Ricardito after 8:00 OK?
-
Even if he screams.
-
Why, mommy?
-
I love you. Take out the garbage.
-
and close the door, bolt it...
-
...and don't let anybody in.
-
You're the man of the house.
-
Yeah, right, the man of the house!
-
You don't even know how to wipe your own butt.
-
Leave my brother alone!
-
He fell asleep.
-
The matresses, Chava!
-
I want mommy!
-
Watch out, Chava! Don't get up there!
-
Get under the bed! Quick! Get under here!
-
Good night, see you later, good night.
-
Grandma Mamatoya!
-
Mamatoya!
-
Have you heard from Beto, mother?
Nothing.
-
Nothing since they closed the university...
-
I don't know...
-
Let's hope he's alright.
-
We'd know if he wasn't.
-
Bad news travels fast.
-
He'll show up.
-
It was really bad last night.
-
and the kids were alone...
-
I going to quit my job.
-
And who's going to support you?
-
Why don't you come live here?
-
How can we, mother? There's no enough room.
-
I don't mean with me.
-
Refugio's house is empty.
-
That way we can keep an eye on the kids...
-
...and help with their homework.
-
If we move, he'll never find us.
-
Don't fool yourself.
-
Those who go north, get swept away.
-
Lift your head up, Kella.
-
His loss.
-
Those who leave suffer more than those who stay.
-
and those that stay, fight.
-
I'm going to catch. you, stupid head!
-
With these right now!
-
...are you going to buy a gun?
-
Since mom started working at home...
-
...the war didn't seem so big.
-
Beto loves you a little, a lot or nothing at all.
-
Cecilia! It's curfew, go home!
-
Just a little longer...
-
Angelita, don't worry about your grandma. Go inside.
-
Please, grandma, five minutes. Tell her...
-
Goodbye.
-
You too, Chava.
-
One day there they were. The Gringos.
-
The same as they are in the movies.
-
What some gum?
-
Lets go!
-
They said they were there to help us.
-
Who wants gum?
-
Don Yeyo!
-
Spit that out, Chava.
-
Don't you hear me? Spit it out.
Why? It's yummy!
-
Because the men who gave you that gum.
-
...They are training our soldiers to kill us.
-
Not so yummy anymore is it?
-
Angelita finished first in her class.
-
...so her grandma is taking her to the beach.
-
But she's a dummy. What do you know?
-
Lots.
-
You wish.
-
You too!
Children!
-
You more.
Kids!
-
A dormir.
-
Get on the floor!
-
Ricardito!
-
Ricardito!
-
Get down!
-
Uncle Mario!
-
Dear God...why?
-
Why?
-
Why? What happened?
-
You drunk!
-
Wake up!
-
Go home, shame on you!
-
I'm going to tell your mom.
-
Shame on you!
-
Drunks!
-
You're now ashamed?
It's for the hangover.
-
What hangover?
Go home!
-
This time nothing sold.
-
I'm sorry Chavita.
-
Are you trying to steal it?
-
What are you doing? Answer me!
Just playing.
-
With whose permission? I need to work.
-
You want my job?
No.
-
Take it, it's yours.
-
I got you kid, I got you!
-
Why do you like driving?
-
Because...you can go lots of places...
-
Cruise the streets and make lots of money!
-
Yeah, right...
-
And... how old are you?
11.
-
Let's see, stand up!
-
11 months?
-
Hold on, hold on.
-
You want to work?
-
Here's the deal...
-
You call the stops. I collect the fares and I drive.
-
But if you rob me...
-
I'll cut your balls off, shorty!
-
Downtown!
-
Downtown!
-
Downtown!
-
What happened with the dresses?
-
Where did you get that?
-
I didn't sell anything, but I got a job on the bus.
-
So you don't have to work so much.
-
You should have asked me first.
-
Can I?
-
Will you be careful?
-
And you're be back before curfew everyday?
-
I promise, ma.
-
Where did you get the money?
I got a job.
-
I'm a driver...
Yeah, right!
-
Did you hear Miss Sol had a nervous breakdown?
-
Why?
Because of all the shooting.
-
They say she's in the nut house.
-
4....5....6....7....8
-
Chava! Chava!
-
The following boys will form a line.
-
Pablo Argueta...
-
...Manuel Ayala...
-
...Antonio Gutiérrez...
-
...Alfredo Argueta...
-
...Mario Sánchez...
-
What's your name?
Temo...
-
Temo what?
Morales Morales.
-
Get in line.
But he's only 10!
-
It's not fair! How can you do this?
-
Temo! Temo!
Sergeant!
-
Sergeant!
-
Mario Sánchez...
-
...Arturo Reyes...
-
...Gerber Reyes...
-
...Roberto Olse...
-
Continue.
-
...Roberto Olsen...
-
...Bardo Pérez...
-
...Agustín Reina...
-
Quickly!
-
Quickly!
-
You should feel proud, boys.
-
You're going to be soldiers like us.
-
You will defend your country.
-
Sergeant...
-
Let's go!
-
Squad!
-
Positions!
-
Hurry up!
-
Come on!
-
Stop!
-
Who gave the order to do this?
-
Step aside, father.
-
Worry about their souls.
-
Hi baby. How was school?
-
Are you deaf?
-
How was school?
-
What's wrong, baby?
-
Tell me.
-
Did somebody hit you?
-
Did the teacher punish you?
They took Antonio.
-
Antonio? Who took him?
The soldiers.
-
They took him in a truck with some other boys.
-
And the took Temo.
-
Temo?
-
First we need to get the common denominator.
-
Multiply there two numbers...
-
3x4
12
-
Very good
-
Then we say, 12 divided by 3.
4
-
4x2
8
-
Then what's 12 divided by 4?
-
3
-
3 x1
3
-
If you like her so much, go tell her.
-
I see it now!
-
Don't be a chicken.
-
Hi
-
Hi
-
I wanted to know if...maybe...
-
...if you can...and if you want to...
-
...come play with Chele, Marcos, Fito, and Ancha and me.
-
We're going to fly paper fireflies.
-
Uglier than a frog?
I didn't write that.
-
No?
Then who did?
-
If you want... we can meet at the store?
-
...Doña Celia's at 4.
-
OK
-
Let's go.
Let's go, Chava!
-
No, Ancha! Ancha, No!
-
Ancha! Ancha!
-
Ancha, no!
-
The paper fireflies were fun.
-
Yeah.
-
Well...I have to go.
-
Bye.
-
Ancha, let's go!
-
We were flying paper fireflies...
-
...and they started shooting and we had to run for it.
-
I'm going to show you some fireflies.
-
So you learn to be back early!
-
Sit down and eat.
-
Stinky girl!
-
Farty sister!
-
Sorry, ma.
-
Yuck!
-
...that really stinks.
-
Uncle Beto!
-
...so mom bought a sewing machine.
-
She makes dresses and I sell them.
-
And I give her my money from the bus.
-
I collect fares and call for the stops.
-
Yeah? Show me.
-
Downtown! Downtown! Downtown!
-
That's great, munchkin.
-
And since mom keeps telling me I'm the man of the house...
-
I take care of my brother and this one.
-
Yeah, right. Especially me.
-
I'm glad you're so responsible, munchkin.
-
Daddy!
-
Oh, this boy! He calls every man "Daddy".
-
What's your name, little boy?
Ricardito.
-
Ricardito.
-
Mom is worried about you.
-
Don't disappear like that again.
-
You're not in trouble, are you?
-
My brother takes care of me and one day...
-
...he bought me a cookie but I dropped it and the ants ate it.
-
Chava, the matresses!
-
Chava, Rosita, under the bed!
-
Shhh...baby.
-
Angelita!
Doña Amalia!
-
Doña Amalia!
Oh my God, help!
-
Doña Amalia, it's Beto.
-
I'm coming!
-
Get down!
-
Chava!
-
Chava!
-
Angelita!
-
My girl!
-
Angelita!
-
Get down, Chava!
-
Get down!
-
My baby!
-
Chava!
-
Are you OK?
What happened?
-
I'm here with you.
-
Don't be afraid.
-
Chava, press here.
-
Hard day?
-
Kella...
-
Kella... Stay there! Don't move!
-
Angelita!
-
Angelita!
Don't leave me!
-
Angelita.
Help me, please!
-
My girl is dying!
-
Don't leave me!
-
Angelita! Angelita!
-
Baby!
-
Baby!
Baby!
-
Oh God!
Help me, please!
-
My baby!
-
Oh God!
-
My girl!
-
Dear, God, my girl has died.
-
What's happened?
-
Help me!
-
It's over mommy.
-
Don't play that, Beto. They'll kill us all.
-
How sad the rain sounds...
-
...on the cardboard rooftops.
-
How sad my people live...
-
...in the cardboard houses.
-
Children, the color of my land...
-
...with the same scars...
-
...bellies bloated with worms...
-
Look at the suffering.
-
The burden of the suffering.
-
Above in the village.
-
He leaves his pregnant wife.
-
Below in the city...
-
...he gets caught in its web.
-
Thy Kingdom come...
-
...and do you will on earth as if in heaven.
-
Give us our daily bread...
-
and forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us.
-
... and lead us not into temptation...
-
and deliver us from evil...
-
God save you, Mary, you are of Grace.
-
God is with you.
-
Blessed art you among all the women.
-
... and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
-
The bullet that killed Angelita could have come from the guerrilla.
-
How long have you been involved?
-
For a while.
-
We're preparing an offensive to disrupt the army, Kella.
-
This is the only place left between the capital...
-
... and the guerrilla and it's going to explode.
-
It's going to get dangerous.
-
It's going to get much worse.
-
Chava's about to turn 12.
-
We've got to get him out of here.
-
Yes...
-
...your side also takes boys.
-
Morazán and San Vicente are liberated areas.
-
He'd have a roof. He'd have food.
-
We're building schools.
-
What he needs, Beto...
-
...is to be here with me.
-
He's too little.
-
If you stayed here with us, Kella...
-
Kella...you've got to understand.
-
The army will take him away.
-
At least with me he'd be safer.
-
Let me take him.
-
Do you have a girlfried?
Only one.
-
Only one?
-
What's her name?
Cristina María.
-
She's the daughter of the new teacher.
-
She's the prettiest of all of the girls.
-
Listen, Chavita...
-
What I'm about to to tell you is very important.
-
So pay attention.
-
What happened to Angelita are things that happen.
-
Chavita...I won't lie and say things are going to get better...
-
Understand?
-
Because it's going to get worse before it gets better.
-
Understand?
-
This might help you understand better...
-
...what's going on...
-
Look for "Radio Venceremos" here.
-
It's the voice of our people.
-
It's not always on, so you have to keep looking.
-
You have to be alert.
-
Chava, it's banned, so you have to be careful.
-
You can find the song I played last night.
-
Did you like it?
-
Ratón!
Chava!
-
Will I see you again, uncle?
-
Next time I'll take you with me.
-
At this moment we are broadcasting...
-
From some place in El Salvador.
-
Radio Venceremos, voice of the guerrilla resistance.
-
What's your answer?
-
Hey, no!
-
And you?
-
I asked you first.
-
One.
-
two...
-
three!
-
Can we go out?
-
Did you finish your homework?
Yes.
-
Okay...
-
...but don't forget the curfew.
-
Take care of her, Chavita.
-
Let's go.
-
Don Yeyo!
-
Hey!
-
That's Don Yeyo.
-
He won't talk to anyone except to his animals.
-
Why?
Doesn't he like people?
-
This song is banned.
-
My mom says we have to fight so that nothing is banned.
-
You're really pretty. And you're uglier than a toad.
-
But I like you too.
-
Bastards!
-
Bastards!
-
Good afternoon!
Good afternoon!
-
Excuse me.
-
Father!
-
Let them go!
-
Let them go!
Let them go!
-
Let them go!
Move!
-
Move!
-
Help us!
-
Father!
-
Father!
-
Father!
To what do I owe this miracle?
-
Are you okay?
-
Yes, Chava. Thank you.
-
The soldiers hit you really hard.
-
There are worse pains than this.
-
And the girls?
-
Did they recruit them too?
-
No.
-
Are they going to kill them?
-
Here.
-
... help me light the candles.
-
Get out of the way!
-
Come on!
-
Let's see what time it is!
Come on!
-
Look! What do you have?
Are you crazy?
-
Get rid of it!
-
Come on, are you crazy?!
-
Didn't you see it was running out of gas?
-
What? Was I the one driving?
-
Can I?
-
You look like a bald girl.
-
What's wrong with you, baby?
-
What happened?
-
We were working...
-
...and we ran out of gas...
-
...he started sucking gas from the can with the hose...
-
You irresponsible old man!
-
Daddy!
-
Daddy my ass!
-
Get out of here!
-
Don't come near my son again!
-
Get out!
-
...in the cardboard houses...
-
...down comes the workman...
-
Turn it off! Turn it off!
-
Below in the city...
-
...he gets caught...
-
...in its web...
-
That song is forbidden, father.
-
Nothing is forbidden to God.
-
I must ask you to turn it off.
-
Turn it off yourselves.
-
But leave you weapons here.
-
No one may enter the house of the Lord with weapons.
-
...children, the color of my land...
-
What kind of crap is in your head?
-
What did I do now?
-
Give me the radio.
-
I didn't do anything.
-
Don't lie to me.
-
I'm sorry mommy. I didn't mean to.
-
I won't do it again.
-
I know you won't.
-
...because you're going to give me that radio right now.
-
I won't do it again.
-
I'm sorry.
-
Give me the radio.
-
For the last time, give me that radio!
-
Don't just sit there sulking. Help me, fussy!
-
Help me!
-
And don't grunt.
-
Your mother knows what's best.
-
Why do you always take her side?
-
There's only one side here.
-
But you're very touchy, Chava.
-
You hear something you don't like and you run away.
-
So I can be with you.
-
But when you're on the bus...
-
...you don't see how bad it is.
-
And it's getting worse.
-
And you still don't know how to take care of yourself.
-
So you have to obey.
-
Can I ask something?
Of course.
-
Do you pray?
What do you mean, do I pray?
-
Do you pray for the war to end?
-
Not for that...
-
This damn war will never end with a prayer.
-
Never?
-
Who would like to read their poem?
-
Okay, Yanira?
May I go to the bathroom?
-
Go out quietly and don't take long.
-
Let's hear yours, Chava.
-
None of the kids in my school want to fight.
-
They don't like war because they want to play.
-
The soldiers look for them.
-
They want to recruit them...
-
But when the soldiers come, me and my friends will hide.
-
What's wrong, Yanira?
-
Chava!
-
Chava, get down!
-
Don't shoot!
-
There are kids in the school!
-
No!
-
No, son!
-
Chava, you're crazy!
-
Go back!
-
Chava!
-
Mommy!
-
You asshole. You let them in the bell tower.
-
You son of a bitch.
-
The sniper killed three of my soldiers.
-
Brothers...
-
...there will be no mass today.
-
But I want to speak to you here.
-
on the street
-
I want to speak to everyone.
-
The word of Our Father...
-
...must also be heard.
-
...by those who have not yet found grace within.
-
What is grace?
-
Grace is the presence of the Divine in everyone...
-
...of our actions...
-
Look around you.
-
The faces of our children have lost their innocent...
-
...spirit...
-
In its place there is fear.
-
Because our children have lost the hope to survive.
-
The skeptics say...
-
If God existed, there would be no war.
-
And I respond...
-
If men would obey the word of God...
-
then there would be no war...
-
Because God, Our Father...
-
has given man the privilege...
-
to live in grace...
-
or, on the contrary, to provoke disgrace.
-
I assure you, when one lives in the grace of God...
-
...war doesn't exist.
-
Nevertheless, there are those who ignore...
-
their own divine nature...
-
...and they satisfy themselves by robbing...
-
humiliating and killing their own kind.
-
Brothers, this is the moment to rise up!
-
...our voices against them...
-
...to defend our right to live!
-
...to use our strength to oppose the force of death.
-
Today, brothers, it is not enough to pray.
-
They closed the school for good.
-
Ancha, hurry! Walk faster!
-
Because our village was between the guerrillas...
-
and the army...
-
...mom decided to move us to the other side...
-
of the river...
-
She said it was safer.
-
Grandma Mamatoya!
-
Boys!
-
No, Ancha, the table!
-
I like my new house!
-
Aha!
-
Blow out your candles!
-
I also want one, please.
-
Chava!
-
Remove one!
-
One less...
-
Ancha!
-
Ancha, you almost hit him!
-
I've had it for a while.
-
Why did you change the station?
-
Fito, Shhhh!
-
What's up, Shorty?
-
When are you coming back to work?
When I grow up!
-
Then you're never coming back!
-
Where are you going?
-
You're on, let's go!
-
You're going to run out of gas, Shorty!
-
You're no fun!
-
I can't read or write...
-
I miss your face.
-
What's wrong, little boy? What's wrong?
-
Shut up, boys!
-
They ask me at school...and at home...
-
Now all of a sudden...
-
When I heard roll call and she was not there...
-
The girl with the blue backpack...
-
and the sleepy eyes.
-
...got me very excited and low grades.
-
Super bomb!
-
Super bomb!
-
Let's see who goes the farthest...
-
Antonio, what's up?
-
Where have you been?
What are you doing here?
-
Just hanging around...
-
Look at me, like a monk...
-
Every day, more a hunk...
-
Yeah, right. Who do you think you are?
-
Come on, let's play!
-
Do you know how to skip stones?
-
Come on!
-
When we arrived at the army base we were more than 40.
-
The majority 13 and 14 years old.
-
I was one of the youngest...
-
...but I learned fast...because our instructor...
-
...was a gringo who had been in Vietnam.
-
He showed us how to shoot and ambush.
-
Last week we ambushed some guerrilla fighters...
-
...and I was the one who caught them with this.
-
You guys are next.
-
They're recruiting everybody.
-
Big ones...
-
...and little ones.
-
...are you still a bunch of chicken shits?
-
I'm not a chicken shit!
Me neither!
-
Fucking chicken shits.
-
Don't call us that!
-
You'll be crying and pissing your pants...
-
...when they come to recruit you...
-
Chicken shits!
-
Chicken shits!
-
Chavita!
-
Don't be scared, it's me Ratón.
-
I heard shots last night.
-
Was it you guys?
-
We cleaned out the area.
And Uncle Beto?
-
He sent a message.
-
The army is recruiting tomorrow. Warn your friends.
-
Hide.
-
Okay, drivers, you know what to do. One under each door.
-
Let's go!
-
Where are the boys, lady?
-
I haven't seen them since this morning!
-
Where are the boys?!
-
Sergeant, there are no boys!
Keep looking!
-
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
11!
-
Did we count right? Chava is 11.
-
These are the mornings that King David sang about.
-
Today is your Saint Day...
-
That is why we sing to you...
-
Wake up, Chava, wake up...
-
What a beautiful morning...
-
and the birds are singing...
-
Chava!
-
Wait, Chava!
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Chava!
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Chava!
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You run fast.
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Open it.
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It's batteries for you radio.
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Toad...
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Thanks.
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You can't go in there!
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They took them all!
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You've noticed, there are no children!
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We've got a snitch!
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Chava!
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Chava!
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What happened?
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Father, father!
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They're going to kill Ratón. Help him!
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They took him to the river.
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Where's the priest?
The soldiers took him yesterday.
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Don Yeyo.
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Chava... Did you know fat Marcos left?
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Where?
With the guerrillas.
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When?
I don't know.
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Chava!
What?
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Maybe we should go too?
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To join the guerrillas?
Well, what else can we do?
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Let's count them.
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Look at that one!
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There's another one!
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We would stay there all night.
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One time we counted up to 230,000 stars.
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I wanted to tell Cristina Maria.
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First I thought I was on the wrong street.
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That it wasn't her house.
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Hey, kid! Where are you going?
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Let me go!
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Chava! Chava!
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I have reasons...
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...to look for you.
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I need to see you.
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... to hear you and talk to you.
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I have reasons to wait for you.
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...because I don't believe...
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...that there's no one else in the world that I love.
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I have reasons...
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...to ask the wind to return you
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...even as a shadow...
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I have reasons!
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...to not want to forget you.
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Because that little piece of happiness...
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...it was you who gave it me.
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Chava, let's go. We know where to go.
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We have to get to the Little Face Woods.
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That's what Fat Marcos' mom said.
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Turn off the lights! Shut up!
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Who else is with you?
No one.
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Shut up!
Follow me!
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Sleep here. Tomorrow we'll see what to do with you.
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Chele! Chava!
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Silence! No names here. Lie down!
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Do you have anything to eat?
Yes, cookies.
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Shut up!
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Go to sleep!
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Do you want one?
Yes.
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Hands on your heads!
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Wake up! Wake up!
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What's wrong?
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We have to go. The soldiers are coming. They're burning everything down.
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They're close.
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Get dressed quickly!
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Where are we going?
I don't know.
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For now, into town with everyone else. Let's go!
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Baby, wake up!
Wake up, Ricarditio!
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Where's your brother?
I don't know.
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Where are we going, grandma?
We have to leave.
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Chava!
We have to hurry!
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Because of the bullets?
Yes, because of the bullets.
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Chava! Chava!
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The birth certificates, where are they?
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Put yours and your brothers clothes here.
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His clothes are gone!
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And his good shoes!
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Where is my brother?
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Let's go...
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I'm so thirsty...
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...and my feet hurt...
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I have rocks in my shoe.
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Soldiers....killers!
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Inés, take my sewing machine. I'm going to look for him.
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Soldier, go home!
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Your house is being burned by a soldier like you.
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Murderers!
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Chava!
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Chava!
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Mommy?
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Let's go away from here.
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His documents are here.
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I didn't want you to sell your sewing machine.
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Don't worry about us.
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Promise me, you'll be strong.
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Promise!
I promise.
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Bye farty sister. See you!
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Be careful.
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Bye, brother! I'll miss you!
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Take care of yourself!
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Now I'll be the man of the house.
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I don't want to go to the United States.
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But if I stay, they're going to kill me.
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But I'm coming back.
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Because I promised my mom I would get Ricardito out...
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...before he turns 12.
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This story could have been told by Fito or Chele...
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...or Cristina Maria.
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But it was left up to me.
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It's for them.
