Alsino and the Condor 1982

Childhood dreams of flight

Alsino grows up with his grandmother in a remote area of Nicaragua, where daily life is simple yet shadowed by the approaching war. He spends his days climbing trees with friends, dreaming of flight and of Amsterdam as the magical word that will make him soar. Those childhood fantasies frame the world around him and give him a stubborn hope for escape.

American advisor and the helicopter invitation

An American military advisor arrives to set up a preparation camp in the community. He notices Alsino and invites him to ride in the helicopter El Cóndor, offering a glimpse of the wider world. The flight fills Alsino with awe and plants the seed of wanting to fly on his own terms.

Flight and desire for independent flight

During the helicopter ride, Alsino feels the rush of air and the thrill of movement high above his village. He is impressed by the power of flight but remains determined to fly without help. The memory of that sky lingers long after the landing.

The failed attempt and injury

From the top of a tall tree, Alsino makes a bold leap to prove he can fly. He crashes to the ground, suffering a dislocated shoulder and a neck injury that leaves him with a noticeable hunchback. The accident marks a turning point in his dream of flight.

Healing and ominous noises

While he recovers, Alsino hears strange noises inside him that foreshadow trouble back home. The healing period stretches into weeks as the war's shadow grows louder around his village. He begins to sense that freedom may require paid costs.

Town trip to sell the saddle; first drink and brothel

At his grandmother's request, he travels to the nearby town to sell a saddle from his disappeared grandfather, a former Dutch navy member. There, he experiences his first drink of rum and is taken to a brothel, where he mostly listens and speaks with a girl who captivates him. The wartime atmosphere stages a brutal departure from childhood innocence.

Witnessing military brutality and awakening sympathy

Alsino witnesses the cruelties inflicted by military forces on those suspected of insurgent activity during raids. These sights awaken in him a longing for freedom and a growing sympathy for the Sandinista rebels. The violence makes him question who is truly fighting for him and his people.

Found in the mountains; a protector leader

While hiding in the mountains, he is found by the rebel group whose leader offers to accompany and protect him on his journey. The offer marks a turning point, turning fear into a fragile trust. He accepts the risk and begins moving toward the mountains and beyond.

Grandmother's death and shifting resolve

News arrives that Alsino's grandmother has died, deepening his sense of loss. The failure of Operation Cóndor follows, undermining the government's ability to control the region. These events intensify his longing to choose a path of resistance.

Operation Cóndor fails; helicopter bayoneted and shot down

Operation Cóndor ends in failure as the helicopter is bayoneted and shot down, a stark symbol of the fragility of the regime's plan. The episode shatters Alsino's last tie to a conventional life and pushes him toward the guerrilla path. The collapse accelerates the departure from his childhood toward a grim, uncertain future.

Decision to join the guerrillas

With the grandmother gone and the operation defeated, Alsino commits to joining the guerrilla ranks. He resolves to be part of the struggle and seeks protection among the rebels. The decision marks the end of his solitary dream of flight and the beginning of a dangerous new life.