In this documentary on post-war El Salvador, people from all over the country recount the nightmare of the twelve-year civil war that came to an end in 1992. The filmmaker and his crew traveled throughout the country interviewing people who had witnessed some of the grimmest events of the war. He goes to the village of Mozote where American-trained soldiers of the Salvadoran army massacred 800 citizens. Similar round ups of civilians took place in many areas and we meet survivors who recall the loss of their loved ones.

In the mountains of Guazapa and FLMN guerrilla shows where he lived and how he fought for six years before being captured by government forces. A student describes what happened to him and his teachers at the University of Central America. Jesuit priests were leaders in the struggle for justice and often targeted for assassination by the government forces. In contrast to these testimonies, a member of the upper class complains that the church had become mixed up in politics.

Although scars from the war remain vivid, people are rebuilding their lives. Farmland is being cleared and replanted, new construction is taking place in the city. Perhaps the most hopeful sign of all is that former enemies are working together and beginning to forgive one another.

"These stories tug at the heart." William LaRue, The Syracuse Post Standard
"This film raises questions of responsibilities for, especially, those from developed countries like the U.S."
Ruby Sanchez, Member Human Rights Commission, The United Nations
" 'Esta Esperanza' puts a face to war." Linda Alcott, Syracuse University

Latin American Studies Association, 1998
Finalist, Sinking Creek Film Festival, 1996