Synopsis
It is the 1980s and a civil war is raging in El Salvador. The government troops and guerrilla units stand in irreconcilable opposition. Weakened by two years of fighting, the army has been forced to replenish its ranks with the nation’s young sons, most of whom are kidnapped in village raids. Chava, an 11 year-old boy, suddenly becomes the “man of the house”, after his father abandons the family and his uncle joins the guerrillas. With one year left before the government’s armed forces will recruit him, Chava’s life becomes a game of survival. While he falls in love with his classmate Cristina Maria, the war moves ever nearer. Armed only with his mother’s love and his small radio that sings of love and peace, Chava finds the courage to keep his spirit open and alive in his race against time.
Luis Mandoki