Los Nietos

This documentary breaks the silence surrounding the murders committed by pro-Franco forces in northern Spain in the 30s and 40s. The victims’ grandchildren take on the horrible task of exhuming their graves in San Pedro Mallo, a village in Bierzo. Survivors tell their stories, but the fear they still feel when telling their stories is palpable: they were forced to keep silent during Franco’s 40 year regime.

Social Interest

Members of the village’s older generation recount the memories they were always too afraid to pass on to their children. Their grandchildren, who grew up in the post-Franco period, have never felt the same fear and want to know what happened. The youngest generation feels a sense of obligation to the victims and feels that giving them a proper burial is the least they can do. When one grave is exhumed, the stories of other victims of the same crimes begin to unfold.

Scenes

Exhumation of a victim of pro-Franco forces in Spain
Detailed exhumation of a victim of pro-Franco forces in the 1930’s. A lot of Spanish families still have to deal with this tragic history today.
Memories about executions in the north of Spain
At last, elderly people recount the memories they were always too afraid to pass on to their grandchildren. A woman tells how the Spanish Civil War divided left and right in their area, the north of Spain.
Discussion about exhumations in Spain
Some people say these exhumations are opening old wounds in recent history, but according to the team of exhumation, it is healing the wounds of history.
Pictures of victims
These pictures put a face to the victims of the Franco regime. This scene also contains pictures of skulls and bone structures found after exhumation.
Example of exhumation – ‘false alarm’
In this case, for a moment the diggers think they have found the remains of a victim, but it turns out not to be human. Meanwhile, the cousin of the victim speaks about the liquidation.
Personal memory of Franco regime
An old woman recounts her memories about the time fascists were ruling her home town and committing terrible crimes.
Cleaning the skeleton
The skeleton is cleaned with water and a toothbrush. The man tells why the grandchildren of the victims decided to take this task upon themselves; they want to know more about this part of history of their country.