Nuestras Madres

Forensic anthropologist Ernesto’s work consists of identifying bodies dating back to the civil war in Guatemala. Recognising his father on an old picture is the beginning of a quest to uncover his family history. Director César Diaz won the Camera d’Or for best debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

Guatemala is in the grip of the trial against the soldiers that caused the civil war. Throughout the country numerous graves contain unidentified bodies. As more and more mass graves are found, an old widow reaches out to Ernesto in connection with the discovery of a grave in a remote village. Exhuming and identifying the bodies should bring peace of mind to the families of the victims in the village.

Ernesto’s boss is not too keen to take on the job, given the backlog that has not yet been cleared. But only one thing matters for Ernesto: finding out what happened to his father. His quest brings him closer to the truth, which reaches far beyond his father’s fate.