Chaco

1934. Bolivia and Paraguay have a territorial dispute

over the vast and arid lands of Gran Chaco.

A group of Bolivian soldiers, mostly Aymaras and Quechuas,

are led by a retired German commander

summoned by the Bolivian militia.

Take your blankets, too!

Water, gentlemen, a gift from God!

Quick, quick! Fill them up!

Let's go, Soldiers!

Let's go, Soldiers!

Up, up, up!

Let's go!

Go forward!

We have water, gentlemen!

Come on, Soldiers!

Move it!

- Where do you think we are? - I think we're lost.

Nobody knows where we are.

It's sad.

- Yes, but what can we do? - Nothing.

Son of a bitch leader.

Not to Nanawa.

I agree, but we have to try...

to convince that...

fucking German.

Let's go, Soldiers.

I'll hand out the food. Here it is.

- Ticona, get in line! - Come over.

Give me some more.

You just gave him double.

We have little left. The captain said to cut rations.

- Why? You're an idiot. - We have to ration!

- Why? - Why do you call me an idiot?

Move!

Move on, now!

Be fair!

Give me more coca.

Fucking midget!

People like you...

can go far, too.

Did you know that, Soldier?

I had a one-eyed general once.

He was blind in one eye.

But...

his shooting aim... was flawless.

He'd been born in a farm,

just like you.

Captain.

Captain.

They don't like me anymore. It's worse than before.

You're not here to make friends,

you're here to follow orders.

What are you thinking?

Neither you nor I am from here, Captain.

So what?

That's why I think we're lost, Captain.

- Entering sentinel. - Exiting sentinel.

Good night, entering sentinel. Excuse me, entering sentinel.

I leave with no news.

Captain, there's been no sign of the enemy.

We haven't seen them for days.

We haven't shot a single bullet in months, Captain.

- Nanawa... - Nanawa is difficult to reach.

We have insufficient supplies, and we won't find any water.

I suggest, Captain,

that we wait for reinforcements here or rejoin our rearguard.

Worse things can happen in a war, Lieutenant.

We need to move forward.

I'll tell you one more thing.

I don't like civilian attitudes.

Remember you're military men.

I order you to form two groups.

We're pushing on to Nanawa with the smaller one.

The rest waits here for an update.

- Yes, Captain. - Is that clear?

Lieutenant, you'll come with me. That's an order.

Yes, Captain.

They brought my father here.

I have to find him before coming back.

My mother told me, "Do not leave your father behind

or don't bother coming back home."

He must be lost, walking in circles.

- There must be lots of them lost... - Too many...

If my father found this captain

always jerking us around...

he'd crack with his whip and chase him off.

Attention!

Firm!

Left turn!

Company, march!

As of now, Soldier, you're a corporal. Corporal Liborio.

Understood?

Understood, Captain.

Come on, Lieutenant!

Move forward!

Get up, hurry.

Damn it, don't you lose a single bullet.

Go!

Don't look in his eyes, Jacinto. He doesn't like it.

What do you know about mules?

I know some things, Jacinto.

Now you're fine with the captain, right?

He put you in charge of the food.

Surely you get more than enough, share some with me.

No, Jacinto.

If they found out, I'd be hanged.

You know how it is here.

You're the Kari, right?

You're part of the Cuiza family, from my community...

Then we can help each other, Liborio.

No.

There are no friends here, Jacinto.

I'm your superior now.

Now shut your mouth. Silence!

Yes, sir.

Soldier Liborio and Soldier Jacinto.

Yes, sir!

Attention, port arms!

Paraguayans, Captain!

Paraguayans!

- How many? - I don't know. I didn't see them.

How do you know about the soldiers if you didn't see them?

Captain, we need to get around them to decide whether to attack or not.

I saw the camp site, but not the soldiers, Captain.

Lieutenant, go with Liborio and four other soldiers.

I'll be here waiting for your signal.

We'll cover you from here. Go!

After the war, you will return to your village as a hero.

How should I dress the doll?

It's fine like this.

Anything else?

Take one of those tins for yourself.

Thank you, Captain!

This one keeps all the coca for himself.

He's always with the captain.

Fucking dwarf.

He's a bootlicker!

That's it?

You're giving us nothing!

Shit, he's a bit of a bootlicker!

A big one!

Where did you get it?

- He's been looking for food all day. - Let me see.

- What is it? - An armadillo.

There should be lots here. We should go hunting.

- Did you find it nearby? - Yes.

Aren't you eating with the officers?

Ticona, what is it? What did I do to you?

- Look. - What's this?

Stop fighting. I have something to tell you.

Every night I dream...

about my children, my siblings and my cousins.

We're playing on the lakeshore...

running around, catching butterflies.

I catch them, but they die.

Every night I wake up scared,

and I'm sad every day.

What could it mean?

Liborio!

It could mean you just have to take care of yourself.

Misfortune can hit anytime. Gotta keep safe.

You're the shoemaker, right?

I'm talking to you.

Fix them.

Fix the sole for me.

Yes, Lieutenant.

Don't be sad, Ticona.

We'll help you stitch up the boots.

We're just dogs to them.

Liborio.

I want you to go research the north area.

On my own, Captain?

Choose one of your mates.

Make sure no one sees you.

No one.

You understand?

Yes, Captain.

Jacinto. Wake up, let's go!

- Where? - Come with me.

- Stop! - Get on the ground!

Hands up! Let's go, damn it!

- You little shit! - Get up!