Synopsis
Chile, September of 1973. When the military coup breaks out thus overthrowing the government of the Popular Union, Cardinal Silva Henriquez (66), a man of great sense of duty, chooses a cautious attitude regarding the situation, trusting the military authorities represented by mediator Colonel Sergio Robles (40), who promises to reinstate democracy. However, the visit to a detention center will put in evidence the vulnerability of the prisoners and the helplessness of their families, therefore entrusting Anibal (30), his submissive secretary, the task of organizing the help for the persecuted people. The work of the Pro Peace Committee brings the Cardinal closer to the irregularities in the detention procedures and to the unthinkable reality of the disappeared, turning to Robles in search for answers.
The government assures that hundreds of the disappeared claimed by Pro Peace are extremists that have killed each other, which generates indignation in their families, division amongst the members of Pro Peace and the uncertainty of the Cardinal, situation that culminates with the discovery of the setup plotted by leaders of the dictatorship to silence the accusations of the Committee. But the government’s threats against Pro Peace force the Cardinal to, instead of making the accusation his followers expect, decide to restrict his followers’ actions, rising critics from his increasingly dedicated members.
The efforts to avoid conflict between the Church and the military will end with the arrival of a group of armed extremists persecuted by the regime. At this point the Cardinal will have to decide whether or not to give them refuge, even if this means to directly oppose the dictatorship, thus marking the definitive break and finally making him realize what his ultimate duty is within the harsh political scene that he will have to face.