A story of destinies joined by Guatemala's past, and how a documentary film intertwined with a nation's turbulent history emerges as an active player in the present.

When the Mountains Tremble is a powerful documentary that explores the Guatemalan civil war and the indigenous resistance against the military dictatorship. It delves into the events of the war, including the massacres and the guerrilla warfare, and highlights the role of liberation theology and the CIA in the conflict. The film sheds light on the struggles of the Mayan community and the impact of the war on Central and South America.

From a historic genocide trial to the overthrow of a president, the sweeping story of mounting resistance played out in Guatemala’s recent history is told through the actions and perspectives of the majority indigenous Mayan population, who now stand poised to reimagine their society.