Original subtitles

"THIS FILM IS A FICTIONAL WORK INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS."

ANY RESEMBLANCE TO REAL PERSONS DOES NOT IMPLY HISTORICAL ACCURACY

OR FACTUAL ASSERTION.

THE CONTENT IS AN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION PROTECTED UNDER FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"AND CREATIVE RIGHTS."

Neither the civilian

nor the policeman,

who's apparently wounded about 100 meters away from us.

And right there on 8th Avenue,

from one of the windows in the National Capitol,

we've been watching closely.

It's been said that on 7th Ave,

the M-19 waved a flag claiming responsibility

for the guerrilla attack on the Supreme Court.

We've received this tape

from inside the Palace of Justice,

calling today's attack Operation Antonio Nariño.

That's the information that has just arrived at RCN.

Do you have any more information from inside?

None.

We have information from people right outside.

Which M-19 front do you lead, Commander?

We're the Iván Marino Ospina column.

This is the Operation Antonio Nariño for the Rights of Man.

Are the justices safe inside?

They're absolutely fine.

We guarantee they won't be harmed.

How many guerrillas are there?

Don't ask me about that.

Enough for the fatherland's will to prevail! Hello!

How many people are inside? How many justices?

All the Supreme Court justices.

And the whole administrative staff.

I told you not to ask me about that.

Ask me what the nation needs

from a president who betrayed the nation.

He should be honorable and come here to face us.

The president betrayed the nation and the peace treaty.

Hurry!

-Everything's fine, okay? -Okay.

Help, nurse!

Help me!

Grab his legs.

That's it, let's see.

Hold on.

Negra! Cover the hall.

What happened?

I found César like this, in the crossfire.

-What are you looking at? -Get over there!

Are you deaf? Against the wall.

Come here, it's okay.

Coming. Mona, give me your rifle. Quickly!

There's no water.

How come?

Who's inside the stall? Open that door!

-We're the cleaning ladies. -Come out of there!

She fainted, look!

Get her out of there.

Nurse!

No one goes inside the stalls again, you hear?

Turn on the radio and tune it to the news.

It got wet and it cuts in and out.

Cover the commander!

Where do you want the bags?

Over there, put them down there. What's going on?

We're the M-19.

I'm Andrés Almarales, 3rd Commander of this operation.

We're officially taking over the Palace of Justice.

Justice Gaona, these are our demands.

We'll negotiate each one of these items.

So, start reading.

I've already given copies to the other justices.

You and your colleagues will judge the president

for not respecting the peace agreement.

What if the president is absolved?

Read the claim, Justice Gaona.

It says we'll respect the decision.

It's okay, don't worry!

You're not in any danger here.

You're the 3rd power of the State.

The fourth.

Don't forget the military.

Where's the ammunition for the .50?

Maybe over there, in the heavy bag.

Hey, you, move!

Don't make me shoot you! Get down, sir!

-He's gonna bleed to death. -Negra...

What?

What happened?

Leaving the basement, everyone started shooting.

I think it was the bodyguards.

No, they weren't bodyguards.

That's heavy weaponry, military issue.

Those motherfuckers were waiting for us.

I knew there was a rat.

Heads down! Be careful with the windows!

Calm down, nobody's gonna die!

What if they ratted us out? Be strong!

Once we start negotiations, there's no going back.

Monita...

Please, give me something.

Hold on, I'm here. Let's see.

There.

Press down on it. Don't let go.

Hang in there. I'll be right back.

-You're not going anywhere. -What? They're going to die.

They'll die faster if you leave them alone.

What?

Come on, hurry, the door!

Commander! Commander!

Listen, everyone is upstairs

and all the Justices are locked up.

Mona, Memo is with them.

Look after this.

Careful, it's enough to blow up half the building.

-They killed the nurse. -What?

That's impossible.

We need medications, these people are in bad shape.

Wait, just try to get me

and Justice Gaona upstairs.

If we start negotiating now we can ask for a medical team.

Okay.

-Let's go. -Irma, you stay here.

Things got ugly out there. Help Mona get a tourniquet on César.

If she stays, I'm going! This is bullshit!

We stick together or they'll kill us one by one.

We're working together!

What are you looking at?

What's going on there?

She doesn't have anything.

We need water, bring water!

Here, take this. Use this to apply the tourniquet.

Thanks.

Thanks, Justice Gaona.

Let's see.

Let's see...

-Mona... -Shit, sorry...

Mona, they're trained.

You and I didn't come here to shoot anyone.

You wouldn't last five minutes out there.

And you heard that Memo is fine, right?

You're here to support him and help me.

I don't want you in danger, give me that.

The radio isn't working.

You try. Maybe you can make it work.

Thanks.

What are you doing here?

Keep going. Who are you?

Hold it! Against the wall with the others!

Against the wall!

What happened?

They're using tear gas out there.

Did you see the others?

Give me your aprons and shirts.

We need to make handkerchiefs, let's go!

Not you, Mr. Justice.

We need you clothed when we start the negotiations.

What do you people do?

-What's your job? -Irma.

-What? -We can't use any of this.

That's all I could find.

What do you expect me to do with this?

Where did you come from?

The 3rd floor, sir.

What's happening, what did you see?

We were face down, on the floor,

after bullets from outside shattered the windows.

What else, I can't understand you!

Try to remember what else you saw.

Commander!

Can I talk to you, please?

Yes, come over here.

Give me your apron, calm down.

-Come on. -Please don't ask me

to give you my apron...

Why aren't you wearing any pants?

I had just come off my shift, changing my uniform,

then you guys stormed in and didn't let me finish.

How dare you compare this to the embassy!

You didn't die there because the US Ambassador was inside.

Just do your thing,

I'm here to negotiate with the government,

not to debate with you!

This court is judging soldiers, but you don't get it.

You're the one who doesn't get it!

Mona...

Mona, help me.

Please.

Mona. Mona...

Stay strong.

Hey.

You.

Hey.

Look, the thing is...

Look... I have some pills.

Here.

They're for cramps, but they might help him.

-I can help. -You're too weak.

That's wrong.

That thing on his leg can't be tightened all the time.

You have to tighten, then loosen it...

-Are you a nurse? -No.

No, but I helped my son when he was shot.

Do what she says, please.

Please.

Cover the door!

Cover the stairs! Into the hall, quick!

Hurry, let's not waste time.

Okay, the other commanders are fine. All of them, okay?

There were more justices up there,

they're all in one place now.

Why aren't we up there with them?

We have to wait because there are a lot of snipers outside.

There are too many damn windows,

if we take the stairs, they'll mow us down.

So this is my plan...

Wait! We shouldn't all be here.

You, watch the door. You, go over there.

But have you talked to Natalia or Diana?

No one's answering the damn radio!

-Didn't they tell you? -What?

-What happened to them... -Speak up!

Their squad couldn't get in.

That truck is outside with all of our stuff.

None of the ten made it inside.

Then who's covering downstairs?

Nobody, it's unprotected, the military's got the basement.

None of them made it in?

Calm down, okay?

The main entrance is filled with explosives.

Negra is covering everything from up here.

Esteban, Mariana, and Levy should be on the roof,

so it's covered. Otherwise

the guys in the helicopters would already be inside.

So what we...

Hang on, Commander... Let's get organized.

Orlando, where exactly are the soldiers?

Look. They have the basement,

so anything we had in there is lost.

From there, they took over the 1st floor,

and the south wing of the 2nd floor.

But the elevators aren't working,

and Negra is up here and won't let anyone up the stairs.

They can't see her, she's holding them at bay.

And we've secured the 4th floor with hostages.

This bathroom is secured since it's between both floors,

and no one can see it in this long hall.

Okay, son, now what was your plan?

Hand me that bag.

-No, that one! -This one?

Be careful.

I want to blow up a piece of the ceiling in the offices

to get to the 4th floor...

Cover the door.

...so they don't see us on the stairs.

-Let's do it then! -Bro, wait!

We can't take the wounded with us.

What do you mean?

We have to leave them here.

Okay, son. Go ahead.

Thanks, bro.

See ya.

Heads down! Careful with the windows!

Hey, sir.

Look at the time.

It's 3:30. I have nobody to pick up my kids.

You're gonna leave soon.

You'll have to wait.

Wait? I have to pick up...

-my children. -Calm down, ma'am.

Be patient.

We're doing this for all of you.

What? Who told you I needed your help?

Move.

You want to leave? Go ahead.

Are you deaf?

What are you doing? Put that down! Put it down!

-Let him. -We're thirsty.

We're thirsty.

You said you weren't going to kill anyone.

Just look at us!

You won't give us water! We're going to die in here!

Put it back!

You can't do whatever you want in here.

Do as we say or...

Or what? Huh?

You'll kill me like you killed my colleague in the basement?

Oh, God.

Kill me. Do it.

Kill me!

It's okay, man.

Calm down, it's not worth it.

Mr. Justice, distribute two bags of water among them all.

No, no...

Don't drink it all, please.

You're gonna be fine.

Mona.

Why do you have this?

Pull the pin if they come in here.

Don't let them take us.

Promise me.

Commander, Orlando found a way up.

He's going to open the hole.

We can tell the Justice that we're going upstairs.

-Let's go. -Yes, sir.

Mr. Justice.

We can go up to the 4th floor now.

-You're coming with us. -What about us?

Mr. Gaona...

-Let's go! -Quiet!

Mr. Justice, we have to go now.

They'll kill you, don't go!

Quiet, please!

Justice Gaona, don't leave, please.

Let's go, hurry up.

Mr. Justice, look at me and focus, okay?

Once we're there...

-Look at me! -That way...

Once we're out of the hall,

it's a long way to the offices

because we'll have to crawl. Nothing will happen to you.

Get down!

Look at me! If they shoot,

keep moving and don't get scared.

I'm right behind you.

Mr. Justice, are you okay?

I'll cover you.

-Mona, cover him. -Okay.

-Let's go, now! -Keep walking, go!

Coming through!

Come on! Open up! Man down!

Incoming wounded!

Watch out!

Over here.

It's Orlando.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord...

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine on them.

This is going to be a tragedy.

What exactly are they going to do?

Look, it's the president of the Court!

Let's listen to the justice...

Hey, that's Lucho! It's Lucho!

The radio, hurry!

-That's Reyes Echandía. -It's coming from upstairs!

That's the president of the Supreme Court speaking.

Echandía.

...an immediate ceasefire!

It's a life-and-death situation.

Can you hear me? Hello.

How many people are there with you?

There are several justices,

a lot of them, and other staff members.

We need an immediate ceasefire!

Share this with the public

so the president can give the order!

Yes, sir. Excuse me, how's the negotiation going?

We can't talk to them if they keep shooting,

until the President of the Republic

orders the ceasefire!

Hold on, please, hold on.

We all going to die.

Commander...

What are you going to do now? Answer me!

Those assholes are burning everything!

What's going on?

They've set fire to everything,

trying to smoke us out like rats!

The whole building!

Everything from the 2nd floor up is on fire!

Breathe. Breathe...

Breathe... Get a hold of yourself.

You have to go back out there.

We need you out there.

Our comrades are taking their armbands off

and putting on civilian clothing.

Who?

There are a lot of dead bodies.

Did you recognize anyone, Negra? Any of the dead?

Paula.

Maybe Mono or Levy...

or William, the kid?

Anyone else, Negra?

There are a lot of bodies,

but I couldn't see because of the smoke.

Negra, try to remember.

Tell me if you saw anyone else.

-Stop, Mona. -Mind your own business!

Negra, tell me! Tell me if you saw Memo!

-Stop it! -Enough already!

Mona... You heard the interview.

The other commanders are fine.

Negra... Look at me.

Hurry up, get inside!

-Move to the back! -What happened?

They were on the 4th floor, all the bigwigs.

Have you tried...?

Which of you are Supreme Court justices?

Quiet!

Justices, please take a step forward.

I'm Hernando Tapias Rocha.

Justice and President of the Court of Cassation.

Humberto Murcia Ballén.

Supreme Court justice.

Nemesio Camacho. Court justice.

Luis Horacio Montoya Gil.

Supreme Court justice.

Aydée Anzola Linares, member of the State Council.

Thank you, ma'am,

we're asking for justices only.

Look, there aren't many justices here.

If you want them to listen,

you need more names.

The State Council members and deputies can help.

Mr. Murcia is right.

You have to figure out who you need to talk to.

-Who are you? -Carlos Horacio Urán.

Deputy Justice of the State Council.

You have to find someone to talk to.

You need to prove your hostages are alive.

If our hostages are alive?

They're the ones killing everyone!

You're holding us hostage,

in a bathroom, with guns to our heads!

-You're pointing guns at... -Shut up!

Almarales...

This is what you've been waiting for to negotiate.

Go ahead, just put a price on our heads.

The Supreme Court and the State Council.

Soldiers in the building report finding

in the basement of the Palace,

enough guerrilla ammunition for ten days of combat.

This suggests that the M-19 had been planning the attack

for over two weeks.

Journalists have heard a version that the guerrilla group

may have received financing from drug lords

in exchange for destroying criminal records...

-I don't know what's going on. -Think about it.

If the drug lords had paid for this, would we be in this situation?

The ball...

Turn that shit off!

-Mona, change it! -I'm trying!

Turn it off!

Goal! Amazing goal!

Change the station, it's stuck.

It's not stuck.

They're broadcasting the game on every station.

That's the best way to silence the media...

Commander, why...

Commander.

-Wait a minute! -Quiet!

Excuse me, but what good does it do to be right?

I believe you. We believe you.

We saw the tanks storm the building,

launching bombs, causing the fire.

But out there, the media told another story,

and the world thinks that's the truth.

So it doesn't matter what happens in here.

So... a piece of advice. We have to hurry

because they'll keep trying to corner us.

Don't waste time.

Almarales, listen to him, please!

Excuse me, Mr. Justice,

but I won't put anyone out there in danger.

They just told me that the fire is contained.

But because everything is dark,

we'll have to turn off the lights.

No, no, no...!

This will keep them from finding our location!

So sit down and get some rest.

And don't even think about doing anything stupid!

Sit down!

Argelia! Argelia, come here!

Nobody go into the stalls.

Sit down.

Yes, he was on the fourth floor.

That's why he was in the office, but...

Why do you say that?

Help...

Help me.

Shut up!

You can talk all you want, but not so loud, please.

Now.

Do you want them to hear us?

They won't ask who's who before they come in shooting!

-Just like you people. -Sit down!

-Sit down. -I wanted my shoe.

Tell us what happened.

What did you see?

Who's left upstairs?

-Who's left upstairs? -Corpses.

That's what we saw.

That's it.

There are only dead people out there.

You're going to be fine in here.

We didn't come here to kill anyone.

But you failed.

-What did you say? -That you failed.

-Shut up. -And the dead people upstairs?

Or the kids you used as cannon fodder?

Don't mix things up!

Circumstances are one thing, and principles another!

Almarales, if you still want to have your trial,

those "circumstances" would be very important.

That's what he understands.

If anyone's alive, they'll be downstairs.

I'm sure we were the last ones to leave the 3rd floor.

Shit!

Monita... Mona...

Calm down, we don't know for sure.

Calm down.

Of course we know.

Everyone here knows!

Monita, take it easy.

We have to stick together...

Together?

Like you two?

Get that fucking light out of my face!

Calm down, Mona.

Memo is always fine.

We'll start the negotiations soon.

Son, you go out to cover, okay?

Hey...

girl...

Your friend is getting worse.

That poor boy.

Hey!

Buddy...

Bro...

No!

Bro...

Cover yourself, Commander!

Take cover!

Take cover!

Break the lights!

Just one light on each side!

Take cover!

Don't shoot us!

There are civilians in here!

If we don't do something now, they'll kill us all.

We need the Red Cross here.

Let's send an envoy.

To tell the president what's happening.

We need dialogue!

-Let him go! -Calm down!

Let him go! Let him go!

Let us go, please!

Listen to us! He has to do something!

Irma!

Let them help.

Almarales.

According to the news,

no one outside knows we're in here.

-Or that we're so many. -Important people!

Our plan is to make a list, a list of the people in here,

signed by everyone.

Yes.

That's a good idea.

But who will be the envoy?

We're going to send an envoy to talk to the president.

I can do it if you want.

-Yes, please. -Great!

Not you, sir.

You overturned their security decree

and put soldiers on trial, they hate you.

You can't go either, then.

The envoy mustn't clash with the military.

I could go, but neither you, nor you, Gaona.

Since you're such buddies with these terrorists.

-Ma'am, please. -What?

Do you connections in the Army?

No.

So, you can't go either.

It must be someone with friends out there.

I can go.

Me.

-Who are you? -Reynaldo Arciniegas.

What? Speak up!

I'm Reynaldo Arciniegas.

A close friend of General Samudio.

What's your position?

I think he's a 3-star general.

Not his, yours!

Sorry, I'm a member of the State Council.

Alright. You're going to be the envoy.

Write that down.

Before the names,

say that you demand

an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.

And the Red Cross must be present.

Sir...

That several people are badly wounded.

Please, my name is Carmen Mendoza.

Rosa Castillo, sir.

Count all the civilians.

The majority are women.

Just the names of the justices

and important people!

What do you mean?

Mr. Justice, write this down.

We're a lot more and this room is filled with explosives.

Arciniegas,

take something that looks like a white flag.

And wave it.

And shout your name so your friends won't kill you.

Use this side, it's whiter.

Arciniegas, come here.

-Arciniegas... -Hold your fire!

Arciniegas! Come here!

Over here!

Now look at me.

Shout your name and wave the flag!

María Nelfi Diaz Marín, don't forget.

Rosa Castillo, sir, please!

Please, sir.

Mr. Counselor! Over here! Come on!

Let's go, let's go!

Don't forget to shout!

-Please! -Hurry up!

Please!

Hold your fire!

-Don't shoot! -Move it, Arciniegas!

Please, don't shoot!

I'm Reynaldo Arciniegas, member of the State Council!

Hold your fire!

I have an important message for General Zamudio!

Please, don't shoot!

Hands up!

I'm Reynaldo Arciniegas!

Where are you going?

I'm a member of the State Council!

I have an important message for General Zamudio!

Don't move!

He's out.

He's with the soldiers.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women...

RCN.

A nurse, please.

All justices, form a line here.

Almarales, why?

On your knees!

Not you, Murcia!

Are you going to shoot me here?

On your knees!

Shut up, on your knees!

Don't kill us, please.

-Are you going to execute us? -Of course not,

but when the soldiers come in and see you here,

they might spare your lives.

You said it yourself, Almarales,

they'll come in shooting, without asking questions!

They'll shoot us! Don't leave us here, man!

Your friend ratted us out!

Don't shoot!

I'm Manuel Gaona Cruz, Supreme Court justice!

It's the only way!

I'm Manuel Gaona! Don't shoot!

I'm Aydée Anzola!

Let me go, you filthy woman!

-And Gaona? -He escaped.

Take cover! Everyone down!

Help!

Help!

It's my understanding

that the Red Cross hasn't arrived yet.

We therefore have authorization

to use lethal force.

We're racing against time.

Please, let's put an end to this quickly.

We have to burn everything.

IDs, pictures, documents, planners.

Everything that might compromise comrades

and families outside.

Destroy everything,

because if these bastards find anything...

You do it, okay?

Let's go.

Ariel...

Hey...

Negra's pictures.

What happened?

Bro, hold on!

Commander!

Oh, no!

Commander!

What happened?

They killed Negra.

Stop this shit!

Don't shoot!

Don't shoot!

Let that go!

Don't shoot!

Don't shoot!

Help me!

All women, out.

All women, out.

Please, let us go.

At least Mr. Murcia, please.

Please.

All the wounded, get out too.

Can we leave?

The women are coming out!

The hostages are coming out!

Don't shoot!

We have no more ammunition!

We're alive! We're coming out, don't shoot!

Luz! Luz!

Don't shoot!

Please, don't shoot!

We're hostages!

We're coming out!

I'm Aydée Anzola Linares!

Member of the State Council!

We're civilians, hostages!

Don't shoot!

Don't shoot, we're civilians.

Don't shoot!

Please, don't shoot!

We're alive!

Stand back!

Get back!

They're coming out.

What are you doing here?

Get off the stairs!

MEMORIES GROWS BLURRY AND HEAVY OVER TIME

40 YEARS AFTER THE TAKING AND RETAKING

OF THE PALACE OF JUSTICE, THE ECHO OF THESE IMAGES

CONTINUES TO RAISE THOUSANDS OF QUESTIONS

ALTHOUGH MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES

AND AT LEAST NINE ARE STILL MISSING

THERE IS STILL NO DEFINITE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES

THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

HELD THE STATE OF COLOMBIA RESPONSIBLE

FOR THE FORCED DISAPPEARANCE OF IRMA FRANCO

MEMBER OF THE M-19

AND THAT OF SEVEN CAFETERIA EMPLOYEES AND TWO VISITORS

AND FOR THE TORTURE OF FOUR OTHERS

THEY CONCLUDED THAT DEPUTY JUSTICE CARLOS HORACIO URÁN

WAS ALIVE WHEN HE LEFT THE PALACE OF JUSTICE

BUT WAS TORTURED AND EXECUTED EXTRAJUDICIALLY

BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMY, AND THAT HIS DEAD BODY

WAS BROUGHT BACK INSIDE THE BUILDING

THE ONLY SURVIVOR OF THE M-19 WAS CLARA HELENA ENCISO (MONA)

TO THE MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS, THEIR FAMILIES

AND TO THOSE STILL LOOKING FOR THE MISSING

"IN MEMORIAM"

"THE CHARACTERS, NAMES, AND EVENTS DEPICTED IN THIS FILM

ARE THE RESULT OF ARTISTIC AND FICTIONAL INTERPRETATION.

THEY DO NOT REPRESENT STATEMENTS ABOUT REAL PERSONS

OR HISTORICALLY PROVEN FACTS."