Mute Fire

Overview

On March 6, 1906, the execution of four men for their attempt on Colombian president Rafael Reyes’s life marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. Their execution was captured in photographs that later inspired a fictional film about the failed coup, intertwining cinema with Colombia's turbulent past. Since then, moving images have served various roles, from historiography and propaganda to disinformation, shaping the narrative of a divided society. The film also highlights the tragic phenomenon of falsos positivos, where innocent youths were killed and misrepresented by the military to fabricate claims of success.