All language subtitles for Fireflies.at.El.Mozote.2026.1080p.WEB-DL.HC.DDP5.1.x264-TheMrG

THEY ARE NOT DEAD.
THEY ARE HERE WITH US,

WITH ALL OF YOU...
WITH ALL HUMANKIND.

It was
in the early days of January

when we first went to La Joya.

Inside, we found
plates on the table

and a pot of coffee
on the ashes of the stove.

Everything had been
left behind in a hurry.

Resting against
the barbed wire fence

in the backyard,

we found the family
that lived in the house.

Their bodies were mummified
by the sun.

Intact.

Because they had also killed
all the animals in the area,

the bodies were not disturbed,

and had dried up there,

with their clothes,

their shoes...

in the same spot
in which they were shot.

They were just
skin and bones,

but looked alive,

like staring at you.

The old man died
with his mouth open.

I often wonder
about his last question.

His last words
before he died.

FIREFLIES AT EL MOZOTE

Hello, guys.

From liberated territory
in Morazán Province.

This is Sebastian, reminding
all of you listening

you are Radio Venceremos.

Today, we begin our broadcast
with important information.

In a few days,
the army will be launching

a Scorched Earth operative

in the hamlets and villages
north of the Torola River.

We advise the population
to flee the area

and to seek shelter
in the refugee camps

in Honduras
to safeguard your lives.

Then, we went on
to El Mozote.

♪ ♪

283 bearing Northeast
at 25 degrees.

Copy. 283 keeping
bearing at 13:09:02.

What a shot, dude!

It's huge.

It'll make a big meal.

Let's go!

292 beginning approach
to landing zone.

Troops, begin deboarding.

Charly 292 lifting off.

- What's up?
- I don't know.

I have a bad feeling about it.

But we have to go down anyhow.

Why? You have your sister
and your mother who loves you

and takes care of you, but I
only have my grandfather.

I don't trust
those fucking soldiers.

I'm staying here
until they leave.

Have it your way.

Mom, what's going on?
Why is everybody here?

Hey, little shit!

Didn't you hear to be quiet?

What are you doing here?

You should have stayed
in the forest.

And leave you two here
to fend for yourselves?

That's not what real men do.

Take him.

Listen up. All of you are going
to be held inside the church

until your ID papers
can be verified.

Move it.

- What's that, José?
- Nothing!

He killed another animal
again, Mommy.

- Shut up, you snitch!
- Be quiet, the two of you!

You.

You.

You, too.

You.

- And you.
- Let's go.

Please, don't take me!

I'm the only one
they have left in this world!

Nothing's going
to happen to you.

Go there!

Hey!

Little fuck!

Please, forgive him!
He's just a boy!

He doesn't know
what he's doing!

Give it to him, José!
Don't be foolish!

I'll be damned!

This has been
in my family forever, José.

I'm giving it to you
because now you are

the head of the family.

Whatever happens, take good care
of your little sister!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Climb up!

Come! Let's go!

Grab her legs!

Fucking whore!

What was that, José?

Hurry up!

Wait for me!

Shh!

I'm scared!

Don't be afraid.

This cross is going to protect
us until we find our mother.

Take it!

Let's go!

Aha, little shit!

Where do you think
you are going?

- To find my mother.
- Ah, really?

And you are making all this fuss
just for that?

You should have told me.

I'll take you to her.

Come, my love. Come.

What was that?

Shut up
and don't ask questions

if you want to see
your mother.

But I saw they were taken
over there.

Shut up and don't ask,
didn't you hear me?

Are you deaf?

You, you and you!
Bring me that little fucker!

Everybody, line up!

Aim!

Fire!

Holy shit!
You really fucked him over!

But if you hadn't killed him,

he could have walked back
on his own.

Now, he's going to have
to be carried.

I'm not carrying him,
assholes.

Neither am I.

You shot him,
you have to carry him back.

Hey, hey, hey!
You can't go there!

There.

If you calm down,
I'll let you go.

Do you know her?

Is she... your mother?

Oh, my child!

Come. Come with me...

Okay, okay... shhh...!

Don't cry, my boy...

She's gone but...

she's always going
to be with you,

in your heart
and your thoughts. Hmm?

You saw the sons
of bitches who did this!

You know who they are!

Hate them! Hate them
with all your strength!

- What are you doing?!
- And in that hate

you will find the strength
to become a great fighter...

worth ten
of those sons of bitches!

And then you will avenge
your mother!

Don't you realize
you're hurting him, pendejo?!

Enough!
I said that's enough!

Fucking bitch!

Okay, what's the problem?

What's the problem?

Rafael is the problem!

She's his mother, Aurelio.

Alma, this is war.

That boy is going to have
to get used to the violence.

No, not if I can help it.

There you go, always owning
other people's problems.

Do you know how exasperating
it is to live with you?

What? You and I don't live
together anymore

and that shitty attitude
of yours is the reason for that.

No, you are mistaken.

You and I
are no longer together

because of your stubbornness,
not for any other reason.

But that's water
under the bridge.

You know that my position
doesn't allow me the luxury

of taking platitudes.

No, they are not platitudes,
Aurelio.

I'm not going to allow
anybody to hurt that boy!

Since when?

We just found him and you are
already making him yours?

And what makes you think
that the rest of us

are going to allow him
to be harmed?

This is not
your own private war, Alma.

And that boy isn't Diego.

Eh, eh, where are you going?

- Stay put.
- No, no, no, no!

What's the matter?
What do you want? What?

We don't have time for this!

They are at the creek,
right now.

It's the Atlacatl battalion.

How much time do we have?

Half-an-hour at the most.

- You know what to do.
- All right.

Alma! If he doesn't keep quiet,
we are leaving him. Let's go!

Come, come.

There are so many bodies
that it would take us days

to give them a proper burial.

We have only a few minutes
before the soldiers show up.

If we leave them like that,
we run the risk of an epidemic.

Close the doors and let's go.

Seriously?

Hey! Hey!

Walter! Rafael!

With them. Go! Go!

Eduardo, with me.
The rest, carry on. Go!

Hey.

Lay down!

Victor, on the right flank!

Nelson, the right flank!
Let's go!

Don't ever disobey
my orders again.

You know very well that they
would have killed him.

There's nothing
I can do for him.

You are lucky. It went through
muscular tissue only.

Keep pressure on the wound...

Hey, boy!

You son of a bitch!

What do you want to do
about Walter?

He stays.

Let's go!

Son of a bitch!

Let's go.

You know what to do.

It's a group of approximately
fifteen, Colonel.

And they are carrying
one wounded.

We found this. It belongs
to one of our radios.

It was completely destroyed.

But they took it, anyway.

Okay.

They belong
to Radio Venceremos.

They are going to make a big
scandal out of the massacre.

And who is going
to believe them?

It's going to be the word
against ours.

They are not stupid.

They know they can gain
a political victory

if word gets out.

We have to silence them.

Make sure their families
get their benefits.

Send another patrol
to follow their trail.

Where is Walter?

They'll follow
the larger group.

Take the column, head north,

and don't stop until they get
tired of chasing you.

Understood?
I'll take Alma, Eduardo,

and two men toward
out Guacamaya camp.

What about the boy?

The boy comes in my group.
It's going to rain.

They will quit soon enough.

Don't start any trouble
unless you can't avoid it.

- Let's go.
- Okay!

- Let's go!
- Okay!

Son of a bitch!

If I were a soldier,
you'd be dead now.

When did you arrive?

Right now.

What about El Mozote?

They killed
the entire population.

You are talking
about hundreds of people.

There were so many corpses
we couldn't bury all of them.

The worst part was...
the bodies of the children.

I'd never seen
anything like that.

This is a message.

Montenegro is letting us know
how far he's willing to go

if we keep broadcasting.

Well, he's fucked
because we are going

to keep broadcasting,
even if he cuts our balls off.

But it's not just that.
There's something else.

What, then?

Montenegro knows
that our survival hinges

on the help we get
from the rural population.

With this massacre
he's demonstrating

that we
can't protect them.

From now on, people
will be afraid of helping us.

What are we going to do?

We must reveal to the rest
of the world

what these assassins
have done.

Let's do it! Today!
In our six o'clock broadcast.

- No. Not yet.
- But, why?

We can't give them
the opportunity to twist

or manipulate what happened
with lies or falsehood.

We are going to denounce them
in the international press.

Is Maria still in touch
with Randall?

I think so.

He's been asking for a permit
to visit us for a long time.

Well, he just got lucky.

What are you thinking about?

In The New York Times.

We're going to let Randall
break the story.

The only thing
that worries me...

is we are going to have

to wait for them
here in the camp.

That's fucked up.

Montenegro hasn't found us

'cause we are always moving.

Why take the risk?

To stop the flow
of millions of dollars

in military aid
to these butchers.

Hello. What's your name?

Mine is Alma.

I don't know
if you want company,

or if you are interested
in what I'm going to tell you...

but I want you to know...
that here, in this camp,

we've all lost loved ones
in this war.

I, myself,
lost my entire family.

We used to live
in the capital...

and back then, there were
protests every day.

My brother was coming back
home on a bus...

when they got stuck in traffic
in the middle of a protest.

He was... very intelligent...

and extremely curious...
and he couldn't resist

the temptation to peek out
of the bus' windows...

right when the troops
open fire on the protesters.

So... a stray bullet
found him...

And, well, that was
the end for him.

His name was Diego.

You remind me of him a lot.

My mother never got over it.
She went crazy,

started talking publicly
against the government...

One day, the death squads

kidnapped her
and disappeared her.

She had long, black hair...
very pretty.

We received her scalp
wrapped in a newspaper.

We never found the body.

So, my father and I joined
the struggle after that.

He died a couple
of years ago...

fighting in those hills
over there.

So, I'm the only one left.

You know...

When I miss them,

I like to think
about something

my mother used to say.

She used to say...

that the only things in life

worth living for,

are the things...
also worth dying for.

And that thought...

comforts me when...

No, no, no, it's okay...

Don't cry...

It's not your fault...

- No!
- Don't cry... Don't cry...

Don't worry.

The security guys
will bring him back later.

It's not the first time
he runs away.

But where does he go?
There's nothing around here.

Back to El Mozote.

There's definitely something
tearing him inside.

Every time he pretends
to escape,

he lets us find him before
he exits the campground.

It's like he has
an internal struggle

that doesn't let him rest.

And there is something
even more worrying.

- What?
- He has lost his speech.

- Is he mute?
- No, no.

Because we've heard him speak
in nightmares.

He's suffering from a syndrome
called Selective Mutism.

It's like his subconscious
is constantly disconnecting

his ability to speak.

Is it permanent?

No, Alma.
He needs a specialist.

Where are we going to find
a specialist around here?

We could send him
to the capital.

That would be like signing
his death sentence.

Alma, he's not going
to get better here.

But here, at least,
he's going to stay alive.

SOMEWHERE ON THE
SALVARORAN/HONDURAN BORDER

♪ ♪

There's a few more.

It's horrific.

When will you take us
to the village?

I don't understand
why they want to go there.

The pictures provide
enough evidence.

Unfortunately not.

We need to go to the site of
the massacre, see it in person.

It's not in our best interest.

Montenegro keeps area
under surveillance...

He could set a trap for us
at his will.

What's going on here, Aurelio?

I thought we had everything
worked out ahead of time.

Well, our deal was to provide
you with undisputable proof

that the massacre occurred,

and I think the photos
do that.

I can't take this to my editor
and say that my contacts

wouldn't take us to the site
of the massacre,

just showed us a few
photographs, told us a story.

Doesn't work that way.

Have we ever lied to you

or given you bullshit stories?

It has nothing
to do with that, Aurelio.

This is basic journalism.

How would you like it,
for example,

if Montenegro came to us,

showed us a photograph
and said

that you killed everyone
in the village

and then we release that story
without double-checking?

How'd that make you feel?

I'm not sure you understand
how big this story is,

Aurelio, because it's huge.

I need complete access
to all information,

that's including testimonies
from all the witnesses,

- and all survivors.
- There's no survivors.

The soldiers killed everybody.

Why the fuck
don't you want to tell them

that we found the boy?

Shut up, asshole!

We just
travelled thousands of miles,

risked our lives
crossing borders illegally

to get here to tell your story
because we believe in it,

and we believe it's
an important story to be told,

so don't you think we deserve
a little more

than your mistrust
and your secrecy?

Okay.

We found a survivor.
He's a boy.

Well, I need to talk to him.

And take his picture.

Why?

Because if he's the survivor,

he's the story.

He's a child, Aurelio.

We can't get him involved
in all of this.

How old is he?

Um, we don't know.
Nine, maybe ten.

Hundreds of villagers
were massacred

by government troops, trained,

equipped and financed
by US military aid.

If we don't expose that
to the rest of the world,

then your congressmen
will continue giving

millions of dollars
to those butchers

and history will repeat itself.
That's the story.

If you want the greatest
exposure worldwide,

that boy needs to be
the center of this story.

Even if we let you
talk to him,

he couldn't
tell you anything.

- Why?
- Because he's lost his speech.

We don't even know his name.

Well, he witnessed
the massacre.

In spite of all the dangers
he's exposed to

here with us,
the minute he leaves

our protection,
he becomes a walking target.

Okay.

Here's the deal.

We're only here for a few days,
and two of those days

we're gonna burn off
crossing back into Honduras

and getting back into the US.

If I'm gonna tell the story,
I'm gonna tell it

the only way I know,
and that's my way.

So you guys figure out
what you want me to do.

Okay, um...

Randall is right.

We have to take them
to El Mozote.

It's a risk we have to take.

Okay. We agree with you.

The boy can be in the report,
but we have to find

a way to do it
without traumatizing him again.

I know how.
I take his picture.

You tell me what happened to him
and I write it.

- Okay, fair enough.
- What happens to the boy

when the report comes out?

We'll take you
to the village today,

after our broadcast, okay?

Come.

From liberated territory
in Morazán Province,

this is Sebastian,
reminding all of you

listening, you are
Radio Venceremos.

Today, we begin our broadcast
with a dilemma,

we have become witnesses to an
act that defies understanding.

But, for circumstances
out of our control...

we cannot make it public.

Meanwhile, we want to warn
villages and hamlets

north of the Torola River...

of an Army's
troop displacement...

- We alert the population again,

that this military operation
is still in progress.

The troops continue
their Scorched Earth Campaign.

Let's go.

Enough?

We have to go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

We got them, Naldo!
Even the gringos!

Let's hit them right now!

They are not carrying
radio equipment.

If we hit them now, another
asshole will be broadcasting

on the radio tomorrow.

We need to get the transmitter
to get that scorpion

out of our asses
once for all.

You okay?

Yeah.

Just processing the day.

Yeah.

Will the Times run the story?

I don't know.
I do know this is gonna

unleash a shitstorm
in Congress, and it might stop

the flow of military aid
to the government,

and that, in turn,
might turn the tide

in favor of the rebels.

Is your position
at the Times safe?

I don't know that either.

I do know there's a couple of
people in the State Department

trying to get me fired.

The desk
is getting nervous and...

even the New York Times
has to answer

to the Board of Directors
and corporate-earnings,

so the truth just--

Let's go! Now!

- What's going on?
- It's Montenegro.

Back up only what's strictly
necessary and let's go!

Careful. This is the heart
of our radio station.

I'll take the Black Road
and cross the river

and regroup with you
in Clemente's house

in the slopes of the volcano.

- Okay?
- Okay.

Let's go.

Okay. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go!

Chico and Luisa will take you
to our people in the city.

And your safe-conduct
is good

all the way to Honduras.

As soon as we get back
to the US,

I'll file a report.

- Thank you. Good luck.
- Thank you.

- Good luck.
- Thank you.

You guarantee their safety.

Okay. I will protect them
with my life.

There are soldiers everywhere.

But we must cross now.

Heads up! Heads up!

Bring her over!

She's dead! She's dead!

Retreat! Let's go!

On the hill!
They are on the hill!

Take cover!

Come!

Quickly! Quickly!

Rafael...

The sons of bitches
got me good!

I need your help.

Put pressure here.

Firmly.

We have to keep moving,
Rafael.

Or they are going to kill
all of us.

Come.

Let's go.

Come.

Fuck, Tony!
I almost killed you!

Come help me with Rafael.

Tony?

Tony?

Shit! Okay...

Okay, wait for me here.

I'll be right back for you!

I'll be back!

Help me!

Here.

I'm going to get Tony.
I leave you with the boy.

Please... forgive me...

Shhhh... I know...
There's no need to say anything.

I'll be right back.
Don't go anywhere.

I'm thirsty.

Do you remember the first time
we found you in the brush?

I never meant to hurt you
with what I said.

I want you to know.

Sebastian!

Alma! Are you okay?

Fuck, Alma!
They really fucked us over!

He's dead.

Rafael is badly wounded.

Where?

Where are
the fucking guerrillas?

He's dead.

Where is the boy?
I told him to wait here.

Where is he?

He left. His tracks disappear
in the water.

We have to go. There are lots
of troops in the area.

But where is the boy?
We have to find him!

Those are the motherfuckers
from the Atlacatl battalion,

executing our wounded!

- But it could be the boy.
- If that's the case,

there's nothing can do for him,

but we need you.

Have you found
any radio equipment?

No, but we are not done
combing the area.

I want to be informed
immediately if you do.

- Immediately.
- We are going to continue

chasing them without resting.

They are waiting for you
at the house.

Keep your eyes open.

- What happened?
- The boy is missing.

Where's the transmitter?

Pedro is carrying it.
I put it in his backpack.

- He's not here?
- No,

he was part of your group.

We got separated
in the skirmish.

The last time I saw him
he was running

toward the Witch's Creek.

Montenegro had
set up an ambush there.

Everybody that went
that way is dead.

Rosario is dead.

She's going to have
to be buried here.

- It's already happening.
- Where's the boy?

I don't want to hear
anything about him.

Right now, the only thing
I care about

is finding
our fucking transmitter

and the rest
of the equipment, okay?

The soldiers are coming.

How long do we have?

One hour at best.

Montenegro is pushing us
in our rear

to hit us hard in that valley.

But, if we trek toward
the north...

we can reach the lava field,

cross it and escape
through the tunnels

before he even realizes it.

What are we going to do
with our wounded?

We'll protect them
the best we can.

- Okay, are we going or what?
- Let's go.

Alma!

Let's go!

- We are on the move!
- Let's go, let's go, let's go.

We have to find
the best place to cross.

Alma, Jacobo,
and Sebastian, with me.

- Clemente.
- Yes?

You stay here and be ready
in case we need you.

- Are you alright?
- Yes. It's weird...

He was laying on the ground.
I stepped on him.

What the fuck is going on?!

I just killed another soldier

over on that side.

It's an ambush.

No. We'd be dead already.

Deserters?

They wouldn't
be wearing uniforms.

The soldier you killed, was he
laying down on the ground?

How do you know?

Something or someone knocked
the shit out of them.

Where is his rifle?

The soldier I killed
wasn't armed either.

Maybe some of our men
managed to get through.

But who? All of our remaining
men are with Clemente.

So, what happened
to these pendejos?

I don't know.
Let's go!

I want to know immediately
where those shots came from.

There!

It's the boy!

I told you to stay put!

Why didn't you follow
my instructions?

Hmm?

What?

It's Pedro's backpack!

With the transmitter!

It appears to be in good
working condition!

- We heard shots!
- What's going on?

- Where did he come from?
- Questions later.

Montenegro must have heard
the shots, too.

We must cross the lava field
right now!

I want to know about even
the most insignificant shit

they say on the radio.
Where's the rest of our men?

- With Clemente.
- Get them here now!

Don't you think there might be
more soldiers around?

No. They would have
hit us already.

But this is a travesty.
We just lost all our advantage.

Now, we have to run.
Let's go.

Let's go! Run.

Posts seven and nine
are not responding, Colonel.

MAN OVER RADIO:
Troops, do you copy? Over.

Dismantle the camp
and await my orders.

The lava field!
They are crazy!

I would have done the same.

That's why
I placed lookouts there.

They changed
all their radio frequencies.

We need more time.

It doesn't matter.
We have to cross now.

Move! Quickly!

- What?
- Shhh.

Mara.

Sebastian, take
the transmitter right now!

Mara, go with him!
Take the boy! Go!

Go!

Deflection:
Twelve-hundred millimeters.

What's going on?

I don't know.
But something is not right.

Stay alert.
Take your position.

Let's go!

Fire!

Advance!

Two, there!
Three, over there!

Cover for us! Cover for us!

Stop! Stop!

Nobody touches him!
He's mine!

Comandante Jacobo...

We finally meet face to face.

Where's the fucking
transmitter?

If you tell me, I'll kill you
quickly and without pain.

If you don't, it's going to be
a long and painful death.

We must take him
to the field hospital!

Patch me up...

and then,
take care of my men.

What are you waiting for?
They are going to get away!

Go on!

I'm staying to help.

Alma!

Let's go! Let's go!

Can you walk?

Let's go!

- Hey! Where are you going?!
- Let's go!

- I'll cover your retreat!
- I'm not leaving you here!

- Let's go!
- Don't worry.

Don't worry.
I'll follow you in a bit.

- Let's go!
- You don't even have bullets.

Don't be a hindrance. Go!

Hey! Where do you think
you're going?

Alma! Where is Alma?

Wait!

What are you waiting for?
Follow them!

Get them out!

Maldonado!

Blow the shit out of them!

Ochoa!

Fuck! Fuck!

No! Turn around! Run!
It's going to explode! Run!

Fucking stubborn boy!

Alma!

Have you read it?

I refuse to waste my time
like that.

How come The New York Times

is now publishing communist
propaganda for these assholes?

That's no mystery.

They've always been a bastion
for "Commie" ideology.

Maybe so, but millions
of gringos read it.

And once they take a look
at the picture of that...

"poor peasant boy"
they'll rush to call

their congressmen, crying out:
"Human rights abuse"

and those congressmen
have the final say

on approving our military aid,
Naldo.

We are talking
about $25 million.

Are we going to let these
shit-eaters win the war?!

Not at all. We just destroyed
their main camp...

and killed most
of their leadership.

They can't recover from that.

What are you talking about?

Radio Venceremos
is still on the air!

Every day! On time!

Radio Venceremos
is also finished.

All is left of them
is a couple of fools

hiding in the jungle
with a radio transmitter.

A couple of fools hiding
in the jungle with a transmitter

can be very dangerous
in a war like ours, Naldo.

We have big plans
for your future.

Make sure you don't shit
all over them.

You shouldn't be up yet.

Where's Alma?

Alma is dead.

We don't even know your name.

- José.
- José.

Why do you always run away
like cowards?

Why don't you stay and fight?

We are not cowards, José.

Many times we stay to fight.

But there are times when it's
stupid to stay to fight,

and in those cases
it's better to--

Run away?

Retreat.

In war, retreating and running
away are not the same.

But when you "retreat,"
you leave behind

innocent people who don't know
how to defend themselves.

And the soldiers
take advantage of that.

But if you stayed to fight
instead of running away,

you could protect them.

But if we get killed...
we couldn't protect anybody.

You are not protecting anybody
staying alive, either.

What's the difference?

We are not the enemy, José.

What are you, then?

Good morning.

It's obvious we have
to get rid of Montenegro.

That's always been obvious.
The thing is, how?

We have to learn
to think like him.

Who can tell me what he's
after whenever he attacks us?

To kill the command post and
to silence the radio station.

And what happens
if he can't find us?

He takes trophies.

What would be
the most precious trophy

he could score?

Think about it.

Which trophy would mean
the end of a radio station?

Our radio transmitter.

Exactly!

If he wants our transmitter
so bad,

we'll hand it to him
on a silver platter.

- I don't understand.
- Are you mad?

Listen to Mauricio.

We bought this marine band
radio transmitter

as a backup/replacement
for our main one,

but it never worked well,

so we started getting it
for parts.

Because Montenegro
doesn't know what brand

of transmitter we use
in our broadcasts,

it occurred to me
we could use it

as our Trojan Horse.

I've modified
this remote control to be able

to send an electronic post
to a fuse inside

a range of approximately
one-hundred meters.

To get rid of Montenegro,
all we need to do is...

to fill up
this fake transmitter

with several sticks
of dynamite,

and let Montenegro
capture it,

and when he's standing
next to it,

press this button and...

And you are positive
it will work?

As long as you are inside
the fuse's range,

the dynamite will explode.
I guarantee it.

One-hundred meter
is not a lot.

The range doubles
with the antenna.

How are we going
to make Montenegro

stand next
to the transmitter?

He won't resist
the temptation.

Capturing our transmitter,
to him means

the end of our radio station.

And how are we going
to prevent Montenegro

from suspecting it's a trap?

For that, we are going
to need your journal.

My journal? What for?

Don't ask.

Write whatever bullshit
you want,

but in your own handwriting.

Today, we are going
to broadcast

from the jungle...
ignoring the safety measures

we normally take
to avoid detection.

Meaning that...

today, we are going
to let them

detect our radio signal.

This program is dedicated
to the missing ones...

To the disappeared...

To all the victims
of El Mozote.

We've been at war for so long.

And we have lost so much.

Loved ones
that will never return...

Homes destroyed...
Lives ruined.

We need something to remind us
of our humanity.

That a better world
is possible,

a world in which the price
of a better future

doesn't have to be paid
with innocent lives,

or stepping over the dignity
of the weak

and disenfranchised...

A world in which human beings'
worth...

is measured by their
contributions to society,

not by their wealth.

We have a long road
ahead of us.

The ideals we aspire to
demand great sacrifices,

put these ideals are noble

and they are worth
fighting for.

Until that day,
when we attain

that better world
we yearn for,

this is Sebastian, reminding
all of you listening...

you are Radio Venceremos.

Leave that shit!

Get the wounded out!

We have the transmitter!

Again, we have the transmitter.
Waiting for instructions.

Affirmative.
Alfa, delta,

return to base immediately.

Copy. Copy.

This spot is perfect.

Copy, Charly Carlos...

- Aurelio...
-Continue

to the designated coordinates.

I've got something!

Over there.

Who is it?

He hasn't identified yet.

It must be him.
His pilot is the only one

who follows
the security protocols

of not revealing his identity.

What are they saying
on the radios?

Nothing...
It's strange.

That's Montenegro's
helicopter.

Do you want to do it yourself?

Okay.

Press this button
when I tell you. Understood?

Now, José! Do it!

Press the button now, José!

- I'm pressing it!
- What's happening?

I don't know!
It's not working!

What's happening?

It's already out of range.

It didn't work.

Motherfucking fuck!

Wait a minute!

What would happen if we had
a radio operator in the town

and wanted to talk to him.

Could we get in touch with him?

Maybe...

if he's in a high point,
like in the church tower.

Why?

Because the town is
boxed-in low in the valley

and radio frequency travels
in a straight line.

Is it difficult?

Yes.

The transmitter is still
in the town.

They haven't moved it.

So?
Did they find the dynamite?

I don't think so
because we would have

- heard something on the radios.
- So, why the fuck

- didn't it blow up?
- Because it was out of range.

And the helicopter didn't
blow up because it wasn't

- carrying the transmitter.
- Was Montenegro

in the helicopter
or is he still in the town?

We don't know that,
but we need to find out.

- I can go to the town.
- Don't talk shit, José.

Who of you can go
without getting killed?

You'd be in great danger.

It wouldn't be the first time.

On the other hand, José could
take the remote control

and use it to blow up
the dynamite when he sees

Montenegro standing
next to the transmitter.

And then, what?
How would he escape?

You have to do it
when nobody is watching you.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Uh-huh, you nosy little fuck.
Get over here.

Tell me.

You are going to tell me
what you saw, you hear me?

What's going on?

I caught him snooping
through the window, Colonel.

What's in the box?

No... nothing.

Let him go.

Shine my boots.

What...?
You don't like my men?

They go around treating
everybody like shit.

Not everybody.
Only the guerrillas.

Because that is what they are.

Shit that is destroying
our country

with their godless communism.

You don't understand it now

because you are young
and ignorant.

But one day
you will understand.

What's your name?

José.

Are you from here?

Where do you live?

In the back of the barn
by the entrance to the town.

And before that?

I've lived here all my life.

You haven't been doing this
a very long time, have you?

- What does your father do?
- He's dead.

What about your mother?

They're both dead.

- How did they die?
- They were murdered.

Who murdered them?

You know what happens
to those who lie to me?

Charly,
Carlos, do you copy? Over.

That's enough.

Your shoeshine sucks.

- I don't have change.
- Keep it.

I already have
all I want from this place.

MAN OVER RADIO:
Charly Carlos, do you copy?

Affirmative.

Send my bird over
to pick me up immediately.

Over.

Copied.
Do you have the transmitter?

Affirmative.
I'm looking at it.

I'm ready. I'll be waiting
in the soccer field.

Over and out.

What do you have here?

Look, you little fuck,

you can fool the Colonel,
but you can't fool me.

Did you hear me?
I asked you a question.

Answer me.

What is it?

I don't know.
I found it on the street.

Ahhh, you found it
on the street?

It's very cool, isn't it?

Don't play dumb with me!
Stand up!

Stand up! Now!

Where did you get this?

I already told you,
I found it on the street.

And why did you throw away
your shoeshine box?

I didn't throw it away.
I left it.

I went in the brush
to take a piss,

but I was coming back
to get it.

Don't lie to me!

I've seen you before.
Where?

I've never seen you before.

What are you up to,
little fuck?!

Huh?

It's you!

The little fuck
with the iguana in El Mozote!

Why didn't you take it
with you?

They would have found it!

Montenegro is about to leave
in the helicopter!

I saw him! And he's taking
the radio transmitter!

You can't go back to the town!
Let's go!

Where the fuck are they?
Why is it taking so long?

It's him. It's him!

Let's go, José!
Go ahead!

I'll tell you when!

Ready?

And...

Now! Now.

Yes!

Mauricio, listen
to their radio transmission

to confirm that Montenegro
was in the helicopter.

What are they saying?

We didn't only
get Montenegro!

Ramos and López were
in the helicopter with him!

Okay! Let's get ready to go
back to our camp,

because our radio station
is going on the air tonight!

Do you like the place we chose
for her to rest?

She would have liked it.

Come with me.

Leaving without
saying goodbye?

Montenegro is dead.
Isn't that what you wanted?

I only wanted to live in peace
with my family.

What really happened to you
in El Mozote?

My mother...

asked me to take care
of my little sister...

and I ran away.

It's not your fault, José.
The soldiers killed her.

But I ran away...
and left her behind.

If you had stayed,
you would also be dead.

Why was El Mozote so important
to all of you?

Why couldn't you just
leave us alone?

The answer is complicated.
I'm not sure

- you would understand.
- Because I'm an ignorant?

Because you are too young
to have to think about that.

Montenegro told me
the same thing in Joateca.

You are all the same.

You wear different uniforms
but shoot the same bullets.

And the rest of us
have to live

with the leftovers
you leave behind.

This is not a war
between two guilty sides

with innocent people trapped
in the middle, José.

We kill because monsters
like Montenegro

don't leave us another choice.

And whether you like it or not,

I'm not going to feel guilty
about celebrating his death.

I'm also glad he is dead,
but only because

now more people will have
a chance to live.

Alma told me once
that the only things in life

worth living for, are those
also worth dying for.

And if I stay with you,
I'll end up miserable

and full of hate
like Montenegro, or like you.

And that's not worth
living for, or dying for.

What are you going to do?

Since then El Mozote
has become a holy graveyard.

Years later, when we were
trekking through the area

with a guerrilla column,

something very strange happened.

Something I've never
told anybody.

It was a dark night,

and when we approached
the mass grave,

thousands of fireflies
lit up at the same time.

But, I mean, thousands
and thousands.

The entire field glowed,

as if following
a mysterious order,

they all turned off
at the same time.

They would all light up...

with that spectral light...

and they would
turn off again.

I swear, I've never seen
anything like it

in my entire life.

And I'm sure that no one
in our column that night,

has been able to forget...
the Fireflies at El Mozote.