When the Trees Wept (film)

When the trees wept (Cuando los árboles lloran) is a 2016 Arbenzan film. Directed by famed horror director Manuel Valencia, the film stars Ernesto Marian as Juarez Maldonado, a guerilla veteran of the Arbenz Revolution as his world around him slowly warps to resemble a twisted version of the battlefields he once fought on. As the descent continues, Juarez must see a small boy to safety (Carlos Sereno) while avoiding a vicious armed soldier who is also trapped in the nightmare (Ivan Dominquez)

Though only moderately successful in Arbenz, the film has gained an international due to its plot and special effects. The film has spawned several fan creations including fan films and a video game, as well as interest in the original Tiyaxan myths the story was based.

Plot
In 2016, Juarez Maldonado, a 55-year-old half-Tiyaxa FURP veteran of the Arbenz Revolution, struggles with his war experiences. After failing to write down his and becoming subsequently frustrated he decides to go on a rabbit hunting trip. Taking only a small .38 Special revolver, a backpack with water, and his phone, Juarez hikes into the nearby jungle. After spotting a rabbit and successfully shooting it, Juarez notices strange growths on its face and decides not to take it. After a cutaway of him continuing to walk down the jungle he spots an overturned car with two passengers shot to death. Juarez begins to panic and calls the hospital on his phone before realizing he has no reception.

As Juarez begins to head back to his commune to find help, he notices a small boy hiding behind a tree. Juarez tries to call to him but the boy runs away and is too fast for Juarez to capture. Juarez realizes the boy is running towards his commune. When he finally reaches his commune he finds it to be bombed out and deserted. Juarez collapses to the ground and begins to cry before seeing movement in a nearby crater. He rushes to the crater only to be pulled inside it by a scarred soldier wearing a ragged New Valentinian army uniform and sporting an assault rifle. The soldier silences him as a pair of half-rotten dogs pass by. One of them spits up a pile of worms into the crater that nearly causes Juarez to scream before they pass.

The soldier after seeing it is safe introduces himself as simply 'Benito'. Juarez after asking what happened to his commune, Benito responds simply "A war against annihilation is going on". After seeing he is armed, Benito sends Juarez on his way. Juarez wanders the commune before seeing the boy again. He's finally able to catch up to the boy who tries to escape but is unable to. Juarez is finally able to calm the boy down and ask him his name. He says his name is Jose. After asking where his parents are, he says they were shot by a soldier as they tried to escape the commune in a car. Realizing Benito most likely killed them, he makes sure to stay as far away from him.

Juarez first thought is to get to the local Confederal Militia department to arm themselves and see if there are any survivors. As they cross the commune and get to the department, Juarez sees a man in the distance. As he gets closer to him, he realizes half his face is missing and he is holding a pistol. Juarez's instincts kick in as he takes cover behind a car before pulling Jose behind cover as well. As the man empties all but one round into the car, he shoots the last one into his head. As Juarez nearly has a panic attack seeing the dead man, Jose is able to lead him safely into the department.

Authors note: Will finish later