In the 1970s, journalist Elias Barahona infiltrated the heart of one of the most repressive governments in Guatelaman history. The film captures the moments when revelations from the past explore the cracks in the walls of silence that surround the country's secret history.
Director Anais Taracena was able to piece together the last set of interviews from Elias Barahona before his death to create the film The Silence of the Mole. The film is based on his heroic story, as well as his testimony in 2014, on one of the worst urban massacres to take place during the 1980s in Guatemala.
It’s a fascinating story to tell, and an important one. Guatemala, as a country, suffers from extreme violence and corruption by an “authoritarian” government who punishes anyone who tries to get in their way. Elias is an extremely brave man in trying to fight back against this corruption in his government.
The context of the testimony isn’t clearly stated in the film, so it’s up to the viewers to piece together everything that’s being said as the facts of the case are discussed throughout the film. It’s not done in a chronological way. The film also fails to explain the positive effects that Elias’ testimony had on the government and in his country. Elias had waited for years to give his testimony in a trial for crimes against humanity. To tell his story, he had to open cracks in the wall of silence, in a country where most citizens still fear its leaders.