As a society, it is crucial that we confront and acknowledge our past in order to move forward and grow. This sentiment is at the heart of the powerful documentary “The End of Silence,” directed by two Swedish journalists.
The film follows the journey of Mari Carmen España, who has been fighting for justice for her grandfather since 2005. He was killed during the Franco regime in Spain, and his remains were buried in a mass grave in Puebla de Cazalla, Andalucía. España’s battle to have her grandfather’s remains exhumed and given a proper burial has received attention in Germany, Sweden, and Norway through television and film.
The subject matter of this documentary is particularly timely given Judge Baltazar Garzón’s recent decision to investigate forced disappearances during Franco’s dictatorship. The film serves as a “road movie,” taking us on a journey through Spain as the journalists seek to understand the country’s relationship with its history.
In 1975, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme referred to Franco and his generals as “killers of the devil,” predicting a “terribly harsh” verdict for their actions. In Andalucía, the filmmakers meet España and are moved by her tireless fight for justice and recognition for her grandfather. They are struck by the stark contrast between the way Franco’s instigators are honored with daily masses at the Valle de Los Caídos, while the victims of their crimes still lie in unmarked mass graves across the country, unrecognized.
“The End of Silence” is a poignant and necessary reminder of the importance of facing and acknowledging the past, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. It is a call to action for us to demand accountability and justice for those who have suffered at the hands of oppressive regimes.