Original subtitles

By 1983, General Augusto Pinochet had been in power for 10 years.

By then there were more than 1,000 missing people and over 200,000 in exile.

That year, a guerilla organization was formed,

the Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front.

Its goal was to destabilize the military government.

Its leaders were Commander Rodrigo and Commander Tamara.

We are the only country in the world that got rid of the communists.

Let's unite for our country. No more Pinochet.

And those of us who fall will do so gladly.

We must realize that we are at war.

The war isn't over yet!

VICTORY OR DEATH

Human beings are free.

UNIVERSITY OF CHILE SANTIAGO - 1983

But we have to seize that freedom by taking a stance.

The basis of Simone de Beauvoir's ethics

is the internal commitment that defines our identity.

Esteban?

Yes, that woman doesn't know what she's talking about.

In theory, it's easy.

The only ones who can talk about freedom

are people who were born with a roof over their heads, clothes and a car.

There's no freedom in poverty, Professor.

But I doubt you know that.

Well, Che Guevara knew a lot about poverty

without experiencing it personally.

It doesn't matter where you come from, but what you do for your people.

For our next class, please read The Second Sex.

If you can't afford to buy it...

Esteban, the pigs are out there.

What is it, Paty?

All right. Let's stop here. See you on Friday.

Professor. Excuse me.

- Professor, wait. - What is it, Esteban?

Sorry, I don't know who else to go to.

What's wrong, Esteban? Tell me. You can trust me.

I think the CNI are after me.

They're here.

They're here, Esteban.

No!

On the ground!

On the ground!

There they are! Hey!

Don't take him!

Let him go!

No, Paty!

Let him go! Paty!

My name is Patricia Vergara! I'm being kidnapped!

Stay there, motherfuckers.

Hey! Stop the car!

Hey!

I need the phone numbers or addresses of some students.

- Esteban Donoso... - I can't give you that information.

Of course you can. It's urgent and I'll take responsibility, Pame.

I need to find their relatives, please.

- What are their names? - Esteban Donoso and Patricia Vergara.

First year Sociology students.

Here, Donoso.

Vergara.

Nobody can know about this. The dean is going to kill me.

I told Esteban

that college is nothing but trouble.

VICARIATE OF SOLIDARITY HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE

Ms. Irma, we need to find Paty's parents.

Do you know how?

I know they live in the south, near Osorno.

- They're going to kill him. - Don't say that.

They're going to kill him. They'll kill him.

- Ms. Irma Cortés? - Yes, ma'am.

- Come with me, please. - Let's go.

To find your son,

you have to file a report.

I'll take your statement...

"THE PALACE" SENSE

...and then we'll look into it with my fellow lawyers.

I have a photo of him.

Were they taken together? Same time and place?

Yes, I was with them. I'm their professor at university.

They almost took her as well.

No, that'd never happen. They're good for nothing.

They wouldn't touch someone like you.

How could you chase them, Chichi?

They could have shot you.

They took them and nobody did anything.

People are afraid of them.

I practically had to force Pame to give me Esteban's mom's address.

Chichi...

I'm crazy, I know.

But I felt so powerless.

I had to do something.

You really are crazy.

Promise me you'll never do something like that again.

I'll die if anything happens to you.

- It's Cami. - I'll go.

You're awake.

CNI HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL SANTIAGO

The boss isn't here yet.

It's very early.

Last night they went to Confetti.

Those who can, do.

They always get the good stuff.

When is it our turn to go?

Let's go.

Paty.

Is she one of them?

Maybe.

We'll have to push her a little.

Let's go.

Where?

Where are you taking me?

Don't ask stupid questions.

Esteban.

- Esteban. - Stop it.

Calm down.

Look this way. Look at me.

Sit down.

Hey, look at me.

This shit is simple.

We ask you questions, you answer them and everybody is happy.

Understood?

Last Tuesday at your university, there was a demonstration.

Some bullshit like the show they put on yesterday.

Posters, communists, bullshit, protesting against the dean.

Does it ring a bell?

No.

- And your boyfriend? - No.

Did he organize the protest?

We're not involved in politics.

That's weird.

So what is he doing here, then?

Is that him?

Look who's on the other side.

You.

Don't lie, asshole.

I'm not a communist!

You'll have to explain that to my colleague.

He hates communists.

He has been chasing them for so long, he can smell them.

Why don't you tell us who your boyfriend's friends are?

Where do they hide?

Where are the safe houses?

No...

She's a communist.

Uruguayan?

Yes.

Can you take your glasses off, please?

Tell me your full name and your passport number.

Matías Ahumada Montenegro.

One, five, seven, four, three, zero, two,

dash, seven.

Is there a problem?

- Welcome to Chile. - Thank you.

Taxi, sir?

- Where can you take me? - To the zoo to see the lion.

- Does it have a mane? - Of course.

Let me help you with your suitcase.

ARTURO MERINO BENITEZ AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Commander Rodrigo, right?

Yes.

We're going to meet with Sebastián, our liaison with the Communist Party.

You have to understand that any communication between you,

goes through me first.

Do not act on your own, okay?

Welcome to Chile.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

You'll deal with armed propaganda.

The militias are separate.

Commander Salvador will take care of that in the communities.

Very good.

We'll work with this comrade.

Your first operation is key for our objectives.

Destabilize,

pressure

and help with a process that is also political.

Sorry, but I think the first objective should be to respond to the massacres

they have been perpetrating for the last 10 years.

To do that, first the people must be ready.

This country is a volcano, comrade.

A volcano ready to erupt.

I think you are wrong about that.

Well, I'm in command here.

Don't forget it.

Get to work.

Here we are.

Good.

This will be your place.

Here's your key.

And now the important part.

We have enough to arm two or three cells.

They could be ready

in about a month.

And this junk, Nacho?

Do you expect to overthrow a government with this?

Well...

We've defended ourselves this whole time with these and much less.

Yes, but this is different, brother.

Now we are here to fight like professional soldiers.

Screw you. What do you mean?

Stop trashing us.

- Don't take it personally. - No, it is personal.

Each of these fighters that you find so unprofessional

went through something terrible.

They've been tortured, their families were killed,

they've been chased for years.

Nobody has had it easy, Nacho.

But we have to do it right.

Believing we can overthrow Pinochet.

And believing in working as a team.

You are not alone in this fight. There are many more.

Understood.

- We have to get real weapons. - Yeah, sure.

Do any of your guys work in mining?

One in Valparaíso.

He's working in the construction of the Libertadores tunnel.

When can I meet him?

They play at Orompello.

That is Salomón, he's crazy. He's the captain.

That scruffy guy is Aurelio.

He's the one who works in the tunnel.

The guy who just fell there, that's Lobo.

And over there,

Ramiro,

our strategist.

Come on!

We've done many operations to retrieve weapons.

Squeaky clean. Nobody injured.

We retrieved about 20 weapons each time, I think. More or less.

Congratulations.

But those operations are over.

Now we're going to aim higher.

It's time to get serious.

Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front.

That's our name now.

Sounds good.

I don't need to tell you what it means to be at war.

You've experienced something worse.

A murderous state.

An army, turned against its own people.

And despite everything,

you resist.

Now we're gonna land some punches on those soldiers.

So that they know who they are dealing with.

They have weapons, power, and they outnumber us by a lot.

But we... we know what we are fighting for.

For the tortured and the disappeared.

We'll never forget them.

And we won't let anybody else forget.

Let's show a little...

There.

That's it, show them off, your legs are nice.

Please, I'm too old to show my legs.

Amanda, take Chichi's measurements.

Hugo isn't answering it. Get it, Dora.

Amanda, I want it very short, like Cyndi Lauper.

- But what's your husband going to say? - Don't be sexist, Ma.

Hello?

Yes. Who is calling?

- You'll look great showing your legs. - Chichita.

It's for you. A Ms. Irma.

- I'll be right back. - What?

Dad.

Sorry, I didn't know you were here.

I came here so I wouldn't disturb the dress fittings.

I'll take my call in the kitchen.

No, why?

You can answer here, it doesn't bother me.

In fact I love seeing you around the house again.

Excuse me.

Hello, Irma?

Paty is back.

She came to my house.

She's in bad shape.

I can't believe it.

Any news about Esteban?

No, all she's been doing is cry since she arrived.

- She wants to talk to you. - Yes.

Yes, tell her I'm on my way.

Don't worry.

Something wrong, sweetie?

I want to ask you a favor, Dad.

Yes, what is it?

A student of mine from university was arrested.

Oh, gosh. No, sweetie.

I don't want to talk about those things.

But it's serious.

They tortured his girlfriend.

If they took him, he must have done something.

Must be a rebel. They aren't innocent. They don't take people for no reason.

I don't want you to get in trouble. Please?

Okay?

Thank you.

I'm sorry, but I have to go.

What?

- What a drag, Chichi. - Why?

The wedding is in a week.

Can you look after Cami and Tomás will pick her up later?

Yes, we will spoil her rotten.

I'll stay with Aunt Pipa.

That's it, great, baby. She's staying here.

Daddy is coming to pick you up.

Sorry.

Chichi, be careful.

She's so stubborn.

LA VICTORIA VILLAGE

Hi!

Thank you.

I saw Esteban.

- He was passed out from being beaten. - Motherfuckers.

We have to get him out.

Paty, listen to me.

To do that, we need as much information as possible.

Do you remember where they let you go?

A side street, near the central market.

They took me in a van.

We were in the car less than five minutes.

This garrison is near the market. It's called The Palace.

We need to see Esteban Donoso Cortés.

We have evidence that he is being held here.

A habeas corpus was presented in his name.

If he is detained here,

you are required to let him appear before the judge

immediately and publicly.

There are no prisoners here.

Now, please, leave.

There must be something we can do.

If you don't leave now, I'll call my captain.

And he's not as nice as I am.

Sir, please. My son was taken.

We know you have him here.

Please, Cecilia. There's nothing that can be done here.

Things won't stay this way, you hear me?

Come on. Cooperate, bastard.

Cooperate. Now.

You just have to take us to the safe house. That's all. Let's go.

You just knock on the door and we'll do the rest.

Hold on!

They have him at The Palace.

HERE THEY TORTURE

We're sure he's there.

You can't give out pamphlets outside the CNI headquarters.

Can you believe my dad said he wouldn't help the rebels?

What? Did you ask your dad for help?

But, why? You know it's useless.

He's going to blame me, for sure.

I'm sorry, but I can't stay as calm as you and your friends.

This is not staying calm.

It's taking minimal precautions.

We are all on the same boat. Fighting.

But to stay in it, we have to be alive, right?

Do you call this a life?

Come here, my love. Shall we wash our hands?

Are you hungry? We can eat something yummy.

Remember we are going to Ignacio's to eat. We haven't been there in a while.

Okay, a little more.

A well-connected student lent it to me. He has all the censored movies.

We could lend it to Chichi's father.

- He's a Jack Lemmon fan. - He'd die.

- He's as conservative as before? - Worse.

At Sunday lunch, we can't talk politics. We end up yelling at each other.

We still love each other, we meet, eat. I don't know.

- Here is the wine... - Thanks.

Tell me about Cami's preschool.

Did she cry on the first day?

Not at all. She ran in. Happy as a clam.

Ignacio.

Have you found out anything about Esteban?

The CNI was after cells at the university.

They're after young communists.

Esteban told me they were following him. That they were coming after him.

Perhaps they identified him.

He had bad luck.

Bad luck? His girlfriend was tortured.

Who knows what they're doing to him.

- We have to help him. - It's not the right time.

I'll check tomorrow.

Tomorrow may be too late.

It's not the right time for this.

Cecilia, we are doing everything we can.

Can you pass me the lighter?

This is the safe house?

Yes, this is it.

Get out.

Hurry up, asshole.

If it isn't here,

I'll go get your mother and your sister and fuck them up, okay?

- Okay? - Yes.

Knock on the door, dumbass. No funny business.

Help! It's the CNI.

He's running away.

Stay back, motherfucker.

Go ahead.

Don't look at me.

Aquiles, get him ready.

Sanhueza, call the reporter.

Come on.

How's the TA job going? What are you teaching?

I made them read The Second Sex.

If the dean finds out, they'll fire you.

Well...

Just because it has the word sex in the title.

Yes.

If they fire you, Chichi, I have a better job for you.

As a professor, not a TA.

No way.

They're looking for a tenured Sociology professor.

- Really? - Really.

In Valparaíso.

At Playa Ancha University.

Now we'll be colleagues.

How long have you wanted to become a professor?

- Hello? - Rodrigo.

Yes, Sebastián. What is it?

The operation is on. It has to be ASAP.

Is everything ready?

I was just working on it.

Rodrigo?

Sorry for coming so late, but it's important.

I'm with people.

Come in. Go to the back.

It's for me, Ale.

- What is it? - Listen up.

The operation was approved.

They'll give us the resources.

There's a couple of things I wanted to talk about.

Can't this wait till tomorrow?

No, tomorrow you have a class, right?

- Yes, but... - I don't want to lose a day.

When do you want to do the operation?

In a week.

- Not enough time. - That's why we need to talk.

The Front will come out publicly.

Ignacio!

Wait here.

The misanthrope was armed and attempted to rob a store...

- Ceci. - The officers...

They killed him!

The young man was killed in the crossfire.

- What happened? - It's Esteban.

They killed him.

...for his participation in different subversive acts.

Those motherfuckers killed him.

- They killed him. - Chichi.

No.

...with other subjects who were able to get away.

In other news...

Are you okay?

You want a smoke?

I've just found out the CNI killed one of my students.

I'm so sorry.

I'm angry.

Angry, helpless.

I was there when they took him. I saw them pushing him into a car.

Then we went to the Vicariate to file a writ of protection.

We went to the garrison.

All for nothing.

It was pointless.

None of these crimes will go unpunished.

I promise.

LIBERTADORES TUNNEL ROAD THE ANDES

Attention, comrades. Target is on its way.

White Ford truck, plate AZZ102. Do you copy?

Roger that.

Attention, comrades. There are two.

Driver and co-pilot. Do you copy, Ignacio?

Roger that.

The co-pilot might be a guard.

Here it comes!

Stop!

Stop.

Stop! Stop there.

Stop!

There's a landslide ahead!

You have to wait here.

There's a landslide ahead. You have to wait here.

Identify yourself, fucker.

- Hey! - He's armed.

Calm down, I'm working. Don't freak out.

Who told you about the landslide?

Who do you think? My boss, who else?

Give me the gun, unless you want to die for your boss's money. Give it.

Go there. The keys! Give me the keys.

Get out.

Give me the keys.

Hurry up. Run.

Run, run.

I said fucking run.

Hurry up!

Very good. We did it. We did it, comrades.

It was a success, comrades.

Good job!

What a night.

A great night.

Even Caracha got a girl.

For them, these parties are like going fishing.

They cast a line and catch something.

The boss has presents for the guys.

He gives them everything.

I'm going to be there too. With glory and grace.

- Your gun. - Both, you'll see.

What is happening out there?

THEY TORTURE HERE

They torture here!

They torture here!

Hello.

I wasn't expecting you.

I'll be quick.

- Come in. - Thanks.

Are you with Alejandra?

No, I'm with a colleague.

Sorry, I'm in the middle of something.

What is it?

I want to work with the Party.

But you're already part of the Communist Youth.

I mean another type of fight, Ignacio.

What type?

I know you are involved in the armed struggle.

- What does Tomás say? - He doesn't know.

Does the Party need my husband's permission?

- No, of course not. - Good.

- But you know there are risks involved. - Yes.

I want in.

Well, sit down.

The job I mentioned in Valparaíso,

a cell is being formed there.

Maybe you can start there in logistics.

It's part of the Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front.

What do you think?

I like it.

Would you like a coffee?

Yes, please.

What are you looking at?

Hello.

So you're Ignacio's colleague.

I see you've already met.

- Yes. - Yes.

Thanks. We met here the other night.

- How have you been? - Fine.

I'm still upset about what happened to my student,

but I won't stand aside and do nothing.

I like your style.

It's time to do more for this country and protest harder.

Bye.

- I'll be waiting. - I'll let you know.

I'll go now, I can tell you're busy.

There's a lot to do, comrade.

But I have a gift for you.

Here.

To light your path in your fight.

You'll remember me.

Bye.

Right. Where were we?

Let's continue with the last phase.

A toast to the newlyweds!

Cheers!

Colonel.

The bride and the groom. Vieni qui. Come here.

We are very happy. What do you think of our son-in-law?

And you, my girl, what can I say?

A beautiful bride, right?

Gorgeous!

Take this. Pass it around.

That's right. Take this.

Careful with the skinny soldier. When he drinks, he's a pain.

- Here. - Thank you, darling.

Do you remember what Ignacio said

about the job at the university in Valparaíso?

Yes.

An offer was made.

Are you going to take it?

I already did.

- How often do you have to travel there? - Twice a week.

Isn't it too much? What are we going to do with Cami?

I'll work it out.

There it is. On that corner.

Ramiro, you're up.

Aurelio, get the tape.

The cables. Get the cables.

There.

Let's change partners. Come, Chichi.

Dance a waltz with your dad.

Like that.

What's up? What's with the face?

I don't like seeing so many soldiers.

It's disrespectful. A huge provocation.

Please. Let's not fight. I'm begging you.

- Are you ready? - No.

But who cares.

What is it?

Cooperative Journal?

Good evening.

I need to talk to the news editor.

Don't worry. It's okay.

Who has a radio?

Here it is.

Put the Cooperative on.

- Why the Cooperative, Chichi? - Dad.

Everyone to the streets!

I don't want any rebels. No barricades.

I don't want one Marxist taking advantage of the power outage.

Let's go!

...affecting the entire Santiago area.

The power company confirmed the outage

was caused by an explosive attack on high-tension lines

in an act of sabotage against the central system

that powers much of the country.

A few minutes ago we received a call

from a spokesperson

from a group called the Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front.

They claimed responsibility for the attack that cut power

in La Serena, Copiapó, Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Rancagua, Talca, and...