Los niños perdidos

This is my first attempt at writing a review, driven by the profound impact of a documentary that has left an indelible mark on my soul. Each moment within it feels like a poignant whisper, a testament to the resilience and spirit of humanity rarely encountered. I cannot recall witnessing a story as gripping and full of compassion as that of these children and their rescuers, bound together by a connection that seems to transcend both time and space.

The narrative unfolds like a dance, where an entire community, as though moving with one heartbeat, joins in a search infused with hope. In this unity, the precision of technology and military expertise intertwine with the ancient wisdom of indigenous peoples. At the heart of this fusion, the spirituality and shamanism of native cultures elevate every act to an almost supernatural plane, as though nature herself extends invisible hands to guide them.

This documentary reminds us of the immense force of Mother Nature, that we are part of her vast tapestry and that within her we find both humility and the purest knowledge. In attuning ourselves to her primal rhythms, through instinct and intuition, we experience the reverence of being, in the deepest sense, children of the earth. To her, we owe all that we are-our very existence and our understanding.

May this story remain as an everlasting reminder of our essence. May it gently yet firmly recall us to our origins, to the truth that we come from the earth and to the earth we shall return, all the while belonging to a greater consciousness that enfolds and transcends us.

I rated it a 10.

My husband said, "it was ok", but I thought it had several outstanding factors:

1). It was a TRUE story. I get so frustrated with "based on a true story" because you actually don't know what was actually true or not. This was downright true.

2) it actually had the REAL people, giving real commentary.

3) it used real footage

4). The jungle looked absolutely amazing (though a few too many spider/ant shots. Puts me right off.)

5) a bit of a glimpse into indigenous culture, which has always fascinated me

6) it's a wonderful story about very different people being brought together for a reason of good, working together, and learning to respect and appreciate each other.

7). It had a happy ending.

The biggest reason for the 10, though, is that it was REAL.

There isn't much of that in today's world.

You might say, "well ENTERTAIMENT" isn't supposed to BE real. It's supposed to provide an ESCAPE from reality."

But, actually, sometimes it's quite nice to know that REALITY is sometimes wonderful enough that one doesn't NEED to escape from it.

If you know what I mean. :-)

Directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, Lali Houghton, and Jorge Duran, "The Lost Children" is a powerful and moving documentary that follows the harrowing experience of four young siblings who become lost in the vast and treacherous Amazon rainforest after a tragic plane crash. The film not only highlights the physical trials faced by the Mucutuy children but also explores the emotional and psychological impacts of their struggle.

The documentary begins with a concise introduction to the Mucutuy family, setting the context for their ill-fated journey from their isolated home near Araracuara to San José del Guaviare. The filmmakers expertly blend archival footage, interviews, and dramatic reenactments to craft a compelling narrative that draws viewers into a world divided yet united in the quest to save these young lives. Initially, the Indigenous people of the forest, who formed the rescue teams, did not collaborate with the army soldiers, leading to separate search efforts. However, as the weeks passed and the urgency to find the children intensified, both groups began to support one another, ultimately forging friendships. This search operation, dubbed Operation Hope, unexpectedly united the people of Colombia, showcasing a historic collaboration between soldiers and Indigenous communities that led to successful outcomes.

The directors have skillfully balanced the documentary's emotional depth with moments of lightness and warmth, while also addressing broader themes of loss, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit, resulting in a profoundly impactful viewing experience.

WOW! This documentary is deeply moving and brought me to tears. It's hard to even imagine the hardships these children endured. Their courage and resilience are nothing short of extraordinary. Surviving in the jungle for 40 days is beyond words. The film captures their journey in a way that's both powerful and inspiring, leaving a lasting impression.

Watching this also makes me think: the world would be a much better place if people from all races, religions, and ethnicities came together to uplift those less privileged. This film reminds us that, as a global community, we can and must do better.

True account of four children surviving a plane crash that killed all the adults including their mother. The crash happen in the Amazon jungle and I can't imagine a worse place except maybe high up on a snowy mountain. The children leave the wreck and start walking. The Colombian government sends huge helicopters full of soldiers to try and find the children. The indigenous people send another group of volunteers. Meanwhile there are rebels inhabiting the jungle and the other two groups needed to stay away from them. We see mostly the two groups search under horrible conditions. Most of it is actual footage from the search and actual searchers telling their own accounts with some re-enactments. The sheer will it took to spend 40 days under these conditions, speaks to the resilience of the both the searchers and even more amazingly, the children. Well made documentary.