After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, three guerrillas follow Che Guevara on his mission to spread the flames of a total uprising beyond the Caribbean island. Along the way, two indigenous Bolivians join the closely-knit revolutionary group. In 1967, after an unexpected ambush and the final battle, which resulted in the execution of Che execution assisted by the CIA, these staunch shadow fighters were forced to flee Bolivia. They have an incredible journey ahead of them, during which they will cross more than 2,400 km of hostile and harsh terrain while being pursued by 4,000 soldiers, paramilitaries and Cold War spies.
Sixty years later, Che’s final surviving comrades recall and share with us an untold story of perseverance, courage and loyalty, in which the destinies of individuals were shaped by the geopolitical currents of the Cold War and the failed attempt to implement Marxist revolution throughout the Third World. The poignant historical lesson is presented through a filigree interweaving of various audiovisual materials – relevant archival footage, impressionistic animated sequences, subtle but penetrating narration by Vincent Lindon, and exceptional interviews with living witnesses of history who have not had the opportunity to speak in detail about their magnificent adventure and the tragic loss of a beloved companion and unmourned comrade beyond the revolutionary icon that Che became after his death. A fascinating odyssey in the “time of embers”, when the only light visible on the horizon was the light invoked by the Cuban poet José Martí, cited by Che in his famous Message to the Tricontinental, which signifies the stirring of revolutionary fervor on all three continents of the global South.
*By the kindness of the director, producers and distributors, we bring the Croatian premiere of the film in parallel to the world premiere at Cannes.
The fundamental field of imperialist exploitation comprises and threatens the three underdeveloped continents: America, Asia, and Africa. Every country also has its own characteristics, but each continent, as a whole, also presents a certain unity. Our America is made up of a group of more or less homogeneous countries and, in almost all of its territory, the US monopolist maintains an absolute supremacy. Puppet governments or, at best, weak and fearful local rulers, are incapable of contradicting orders from their Yankee masters…
How close we could look into a bright future should two, three or many Vietnams spring up throughout the world with their share of death and their immense tragedies, their everyday heroism and their persistent blows against imperialism, impelled to disperse their forces under constant surprise attacks and the growing hatred of all peoples of the world!
Our every action is a battle cry against imperialism, and a battle hymn for the people’s unity against the great enemy of mankind: the United States of America. Wherever death finds us, let it be welcome, provided that this, our battle cry, may have reached some receptive ear and another hand may be extended to wield our weapons, and other men be ready to sing the funeral hymns with the staccato singing of the machine guns and new battle cries of war and victory!
Message to the Tricontinental (fragments), Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Havana, April 16, 1967.
Awards
- Cannes Film Festival 2026
Screening schedule
- Kino Kinoteka
