She Walks in Darkness (2025)
Original title: Un fantasma en la batalla
Director: Agustín Díaz Yanes
Screenplay: Agustín Díaz Yanes
Stars: Susana Abaitua, Andrés Gertrúdix, Iraia Elias, Raúl Arévalo, Ariadna Gil
Release date: 24 September 2025 (Zinemaldia); 3 October 2025 (Spain)
Plot: A young Spanish civil guard goes undercover within ETA, the Basque separatist group, spending over a decade locating their hideouts in the South of France.
* * *
She Walks in Darkness (2025) | Transcript
[low, unsettling music playing]
THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION ETA WAS FOUNDED IN 1958 UNDER FRANCO’S REGIME.
UP UNTIL THE DICTATOR’S DEATH IN 1975, ETA KILLED A TOTAL OF 44 PEOPLE IN SPAIN,
[speaking inaudibly]
AMONG THEM, ADMIRAL CARRERO BLANCO, PRIME MINISTER AND THE DICTATOR’S RIGHTHAND MAN.
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF DEMOCRACY IN SPAIN, A FACTION OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION SURRENDERED THEIR WEAPONS.
We believe we’ve played a major role in the history of our people.
We have shown it’s possible to govern ourselves, and we will keep fighting for that through nonviolent means.
The ETA’s armed resistance has fulfilled its role.
BUT ANOTHER FACTION DECIDED TO KEEP ON KILLING.
[reporter] Yesterday’s attack in Zaragoza may have been perpetrated by an ETA cell that moved from the south of France to execute a flash operation.
IN THE ’80S, ETA SPREAD TERROR IN THE STREETS, KILLING OVER 400 PEOPLE [reporter 2] Mr. Moreno Arguilea was shot twice in the head, killing him instantly…
[reporter 3] The mall was open, and the attack caused a sea of panic.
Amongst the victims were several children, six women, and four men.
IN THE ’90S, THE SPANISH CIVIL GUARD DEVISED AN OPERATION TO PUT AN END TO THE TERRORIST GROUP.
[indistinct police radio chatter]
[siren wailing]
THE OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT OVER 12 YEARS.
HUNDREDS OF SPANISH AND FRENCH OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED.
THIS COULD BE ONE OF THEIR STORIES.
[unsettling music fades] [thunder rumbles in distance]
[exhales sharply]
[door closes in distance]
[elevator whirring]
[elevator doors open]
[elevator doors close]
[knocking on door]
[elevator whirring]
[elevator stops] [thunder crashes]
[car engine starts]
[sound of engine fades]
[woman in Basque]
♪ I come from Paris, I’m an artist ♪
♪ I come from Paris, I’m an artist ♪
♪ I play very well ♪
♪ Just like us ♪
♪ I play the drums ♪
[imitating drumbeats]
CITY HALL JANUARY 23, 1995
[teacher] ♪ I come from Paris
I’m an artist ♪
[children] ♪ I come from Paris
I’m an artist ♪
♪ I play very well ♪
♪ Just like us ♪
♪ I play the violin ♪
[teacher and children imitate violin]
[teacher singing in Basque]
[teacher and children continue singing]
[gun fires] [bar patrons screaming and clamoring]
COEXISTENCE SOLIDARITY
[children chattering excitedly]
[echo of police sirens rises]
[unsettling music playing]
[whispering inaudibly]
[unsettling music peaks, fades]
[children laughing and shouting outside]
[teacher gags]
[bell tolling in distance]
[bell tolling]
[crowd murmuring]
[reporter] One of ETA’s gunmen has murdered Gregorio Ordóñez, leader of the People’s Party, today in Guipúzcoa.
A man who was very likely poised to become the next mayor of San Sebastián.
This has caused deep distress in the Basque Country and elsewhere.
[reporter on radio] A new protest has taken place this afternoon in Bilbao.
It has brought together thousands of citizens who rejected ETA’s brutality.
This, on the heels of the disappearance of a brave politician, who had democratic support.
The organizer of the protest has stated that the continuous bloodshed…
He picked up a white Renault 6 at eight o’clock.
I got his license plate.
San Sebastián, number 5401 AJ.
And, sir…
I handed the keys over.
Don’t blame yourself.
How could we have known they’d be so bold as to murder a councilman?
Hard times are ahead.
It’s important you be cautious.
[reflective music playing]
A YEAR AND A HALF EARLIER
[bell tolling in distance]
[somber music fades]
[phone rings]
[intriguing music playing] Yes?
[boss] See you at La Venta tomorrow at ten.
[boss] Officer Amaya Mateos Ginés.
Currently serving at the command center in Seville.
Lost both her parents at the age of 16.
Studied English and French philology.
A second-grade knowledge of Basque.
She’s methodical, keeps to herself, has her life in order.
She’s independent and isn’t riskaverse.
This is her second request to serve in Basque Country.
When she was asked why, of all assignments, she applied to the Civil Guard, she answered with verses from an Irish poet.
“Neither law, nor duty, bade me to fight” “Nor glory, nor cheering crowds” “A lonely impulse of delight led To this tumult in the clouds” “I weighed it all, mulled it over” “The years to come seemed a sterile life As did the years gone by” “Faced with this life, this death” Only four people will know your true identity.
The president of the government, the minister of the interior, the head of the Civil Guard, and myself.
You will cease to be Amaya Mateos Ginés, and we’ll train you to become Amaia López Elósegui.
A teacher in Basque Country and supporter of the Basque National Liberation Movement.
Just remember, this mission will absolutely put you in danger.
And if discovered, you will surely be killed.
It’s not for the faint of heart.
You’ll be isolated.
Take a few days before you decide to accept.
I won’t need it.
All right.
[steady, resolute string music playing]
[Amaya] Where are we going, sir?
To meet your mother.
Take good care of her, please.
[church bell tolling]
[boss] This is your backstory.
The details of your new identity.
Make it your own.
Your life depends on it.
[Amaya] Aramaio.
[boss] The school has officially accepted your teacher application.
This is Begoña Landaburu, the director of the school.
We arrested her husband five years ago.
He was part of a cell in San Sebastián.
They have two children together.
From our intel, we think she is responsible for the legal cells in Guipúzcoa.
How are you?
Hi.
You’re Amaia?
Yes.
She’s friendly, but don’t let that fool you.
She’s very clever, knows what she’s doing.
We’ve never been able to charge her.
We will communicate through a code using Italian songs.
Play them when you want to contact us.
She attended a religious school in Brussels.
After that, she studied English and French philology.
And here are her registration records.
She didn’t finish her degree.
In the meantime, she’s managed to live off of tutoring and translating.
She worked on a Spanish translation of Yeats as well.
A local magazine published it.
It’s clear she has talent.
How does she afford to pay for her mother’s house?
With money from her mother’s pension.
And some from selling her parents’ house years ago.
Um, she’s gone to Herri Batasuna meetings in her neighborhood.
SPEECHES
[low, unsettling music playing]
[bell tolling in distance]
[school bell rings]
[unsettling music fades]
[Amaya in Basque] Ane, are you all alone?
[Ane] Yes.
Don’t worry. I’ll keep you company.
Your mom will be here soon.
[mother] Ane!
[Amaya] There’s your mom.
Sweetie!
Mom!
[in English] Oh, wow.
Your Basque is improving.
Not really.
You’ll get better in no time.
[Amaya] I get a little self-conscious speaking it in public.
[Begoña] Where did you learn to speak Basque?
[Amaya] My mom taught me.
[Begoña] Is she still alive?
[Amaya] Yeah.
She’s still alive… if you can call it living.
She can’t speak.
She doesn’t recognize anyone.
She doesn’t recognize me.
Sorry.
[unsettling music rises]
Hey, are you busy later tonight?
No plans yet.
Head home, then I have to go check in on my mom.
I was thinking of having some drinks with friends. Join us.
[foreboding music swells]
[“Parole, parole” by Mina playing]
I’m gonna go alert the colonel, all right?
[man] Did something happen?
She made contact.
[’70s Italian pop continues on headphones]
Sir, it appears I’m in with her.
I haven’t been asked to take part in anything.
It’s early.
She was asking me about what I did before coming here.
She won’t make a move until she’s sure you’re not a mole. She’s not impulsive.
Don’t give her a reason to say no.
There’s something else.
Your fiancé’s here.
We set up a hotel where you can safely meet.
I’m giving you the weekend off.
Thank you, sir.
[sultry Italian pop fades]
[knocking on door]
[fiancé grunts]
[Amaya sighs]
Be careful, okay?
[insistent knocking]
[pensive music playing]
[door closes]
[Begoña murmuring]
[softly] Place Nicolas…
That’s five Place Nicolas.
[ship horn blasts]
[somber music fades out]
SPAINFRANCE BORDER CROSSING
[man] One thing is clear after the past few years of fighting.
The state is okay with letting 40 of their Civil Guard agents die a year.
I think we need to adapt and change course.
Things won’t change otherwise.
We need to hit them where it hurts.
We have more emboldened enemies than the Civil Guard.
You all know who I’m referring to.
The feckless cowards who think they can unleash violence upon our people from behind the safety of a desk.
Let me be clear.
Our next attack should go for their heart.
A target forcing them to listen.
And carefully.
[low, menacing music playing]
Political figures. Press corps.
Judges.
We’ve turned a page.
We will spread the suffering equally across this nation.
Arrieta’s relocating to San Sebastián.
PRESS We’re activating the Donosti cell.
[reporter speaking French on radio]
[man 2 in French] Goodbye, sir.
Goodbye.
[ominous music dies down]
ONWARD INDEPENDENCE SOCIALISM
[chanting in Basque]
ETA, the people are with you!
ETA, the people are with you!
ETA, the people are with you!
ETA, the people are with you!
RETURN BASQUE DETAINEES TO EUSKAL HERRIA
[in English] There’s Joseba.
Basque Country is occupied by our soldiers and political adversaries.
They are forcing us to act more offensively, rather than a mere act of resistance.
An offense where we have no other choice than to bring violence to the streets.
That’s our reality now.
In our country, we are in pain.
And we’ve felt that pain for years now.
We know the names of those affected.
After all these years, it’s time to make others feel our suffering.
All the enemies of our glorious country.
Parasites! We all know their names as well.
The first and last names of those judges, those politicians, those journalists, members of city council!
Let’s get out of here.
[speaker in Basque] Free Euskadi!
[crowd chanting] ETA, the people are with you!
[chanting cuts out]
[sounds distort]
[unsettling music rises]
[indistinct shouting]
[siren blaring]
[gun fires in distance]
[crowd shouting]
[glass shatters]
We’re being followed.
I know that.
A woman in green and two men.
[gunfire continues in distance]
Let’s go to my place.
[Begoña] It’s beautiful.
What’s it called?
[Amaya] Aramaio.
[in Basque] Aramaio, that’s it.
[in English] Yeah.
My mom and grandma grew up there.
Why’d you leave Belgium?
It was partly my mother.
She hated it there.
And partly for me.
I’d gone through a bad breakup.
There was nothing left for me there.
But really, I came to help with the cause here.
I feel silly saying that to you.
You’ve been fighting for years, and your husband’s in prison.
I’m not as strong as you are.
I’ve been such a coward.
We do what we can in this war.
All of it helps, even if it seems small.
I don’t know.
[low, unsettling music playing]
I’m working with ETA.
I joined as a member ten years ago.
I know a way you can help us.
[unsettling music peaks, fades]
[elevator doors creak open]
[knocking on door]
[foreboding music playing]
[in Basque] I’m Amaia.
What’s your name?
[in English] I don’t know Basque.
My room?
In there.
[foreboding music pulsing]
Here’s a list of things I need you to get.
Memorize it.
When do they collect the garbage?
[Amaya] Any minute now.
When the truck drives by, throw it in.
You understand?
Got it.
I take it you’re not a chef.
No.
[truck approaches]
[alert on truck beeping]
[under breath] Just open. Come on.
Come on, okay?
[exhales shakily]
[alert on truck beeping]
[“Il cuore è uno zingaro” by Nicola Di Bari playing]
Here you are. Thank you.
I NEED HELP WITH THE GARBAGE BAGS
[melodic ’70s Italian ballad fades]
[floorboards creak]
[rain pattering]
[low, suspenseful music playing]
[thunder rumbling]
OUT OF ORDER
[suspenseful music building]
[keys jangle outside]
[lock rattling]
[suspenseful music dies down]
They’ll be by soon to pick these up.
They’re for the white Renault parked outside.
[drawer opens] [bag unzips]
[rustling]
[bag zips] [drawer closes]
[door closes]
[mournful music playing]
[thunder rumbles in distance]
[mournful music builds]
[somber music fades out]
[ship horn blasts]
[gulls calling]
SOUTH OF FRANCE JANUARY, 1996
[ominous music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[reporter] Last Wednesday, the terrorist group ETA kidnapped a prison officer from Burgos.
The story broke because of an anonymous call to a reporter at the Egin newspaper, where the terrorist group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
[reporter 2] In a statement given last night by a local newspaper in Basque Country, the Egin, the terrorist organization ETA took responsibility for the kidnapping of the prison officer, promising that more information will come to light in the following days.
[reporter 3] His coworkers at the Logroño Penitentiary stood in unity today.
They plan to stand in silence every Wednesday…
Are you all right?
This has inspired countless people from other institutions and law enforcement to protest as well, to stand in solidarity for the man’s release.
I know you don’t want to talk about it, but…
When are you gonna come home?
I mean, you said it was two months, and it’s been two years already.
I know, honey.
But…
I don’t want to ruin the night, okay?
Now, tell me…
How’s your new practice?
We’re keeping busy.
We’re so busy that I can’t do it on my own.
I have a new partner.
[Amaya] Mmhmm?
Mm.
She’s a godsend.
What do you mean?
Your partner’s a woman?
[sobering instrumental music playing]
Why are you upset?
I’m not.
What’s going on?
[shakily] Nothing.
I don’t know.
[crying softly]
Even though I don’t know what you’re doing, I know you’ve been here too long.
[speaking indistinctly in Basque]
[tense music playing]
[tense music building]
FEBRUARY 6, 1996
[speaking indistinctly]
[tense music fades]
[reporter] On the 13th block of San Martín, two young men approached the victim.
They pointed the gun at him and his son.
BASQUE SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER Then shot the historical socialist leader in the head.
[mournful music playing]
FACULTY OF LAW, MADRID FEBRUARY 14, 1996
[speaking indistinctly]
EXPRESIDENT, CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
[reporter] The Faculty of Law at the Autonomous University has closed its doors today.
The closure is an act of mourning, due to the sudden execution of its longtime professor of History of Law, Francisco Tomás y Valiente.
[crowd chanting] That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
[mournful music subsides]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
He’s in the kitchen.
[Begoña] Here’s the phone you asked for.
Is it for you?
No, it’s for Isuntza.
He’s taking care of Ortega Lara.
It’s time we gave Amaia more responsibility.
Is that a good idea?
Yeah.
Not your call.
Let’s have her shadowed for a few weeks first.
[Begoña] Why?
[phone beeps] Amaia’s too perfect.
Begoña said you lived in Brussels.
Yeah.
I lived there too, for a while.
I wasn’t a fan.
It wasn’t so bad.
What neighborhood were you in?
In Molenbeek.
On Evariste Pierron.
Yeah, I know it well.
I was in the same neighborhood.
Right by a small café called the Mariton?
No.
The Mariton was an upscale restaurant.
In the center. It’s really pricey.
[garbage truck approaches]
[sighs]
[alert on truck beeping]
[low, suspenseful music playing]
I’ll see you later.
[“Grande, grande, grande” by Mina playing]
[man] Here’s the SIM card for this number.
You confirmed it’s real?
[man] Yes.
I want constant surveillance, day and night.
Ask Judge La Vert for it.
I need authorization to tap a phone in France.
Yes, sir. I’ll get it done.
[nostalgic Italian ballad continues]
[ominous music playing]
[in Basque] The water for the lambs is on its way.
[on recording]
The water for the lambs is on its way.
[in English] It’s Isuntza.
They’re delivering explosives.
Call the local police.
Have extra traffic officers on duty.
If they spot any suspicious vans, pull them over.
The judicial police need to be alerted.
We’re detaining Isuntza.
[tense music playing]
This is for us.
Bol, 5K.
Five million is a lot of pesetas.
ETA normally uses francs.
It’s an operation in Spain.
Most likely for the abduction of Ortega Lara.
Look into anything and everything pertaining to “Bol.”
Names, surnames, aliases, companies. Everything.
[tense music subsides]
[phone rings]
Hello.
Begoña Landaburu?
Yes?
Joseba’s dead.
[quietly] What?
Your husband hung himself in his cell.
I’m sorry.
[exhales sharply]
[mournful string music playing]
[inhales shakily]
Afternoon. I’m…
[woman] Yes.
I have a few things here for Begoña.
She’s in her room.
Hey there.
Amaia.
How are you?
I’m okay. Okay.
[Amaya] The kids drew these for you.
You got a cigarette?
Want to help me box up Joseba’s clothes?
They’re donations for the prisoners.
[Amaya] Of course.
That asshole arrested and tortured Joseba.
Lieutenant Colonel Julio Castro Sánchez.
A real son of a bitch.
I’ll be arrested any day now.
It’s just a matter of when.
I know they’ll torture me.
Just like Joseba and the others.
I’ll resist as long as I can.
But going to prison?
Separated from my children for 20 years, locked away.
My heart can’t take it.
Don’t think about it now.
It keeps repeating in my head every second.
So much has happened.
Use this time now to step back and see your children.
I think you deserve it.
I don’t think I can do that.
I started fighting at 15 years old.
I don’t know any other way.
If you’re from Basque Country and you’re a nationalist, it means your freedom is already at risk from day one.
I was gonna end up in prison one way or another.
Or the cemetery.
She has a picture of you in her room.
General Galindo’s in it with you and officers stationed at Intxaurrondo.
You never told me you arrested him.
I didn’t feel you needed to know.
I interrogated him.
Right.
I was asked to become a member of a legal cell put in charge of gathering information on possible targets.
Finding soldiers, police, and Civil Guards to attack in the following months.
The target information will be provided by our team for you.
And before I forget, thank you for the information you provided with the cell number for Arrieta.
We intercepted a van packed with explosives bound for Madrid.
Isuntza was arrested.
The information we got was invaluable.
Sir. My source found Bol’s contact information.
His name is Josu Uribetxeberria Bolinaga.
He’s a member of a cell supporting the militia.
He’s renting an industrial building in the area of Mondragón.
[reporter] The Civil Guard has freed Ortega Lara from a building located in Mondragón.
The prison officer walked out under his own power from a place he had been held captive for 532 days.
With an operation that has led to the arrest of 4 alleged members of ETA, the Civil Guard has brought to an end the longest kidnapping in ETA history.
We are at the location where José Antonio Ortega Lara was found earlier this morning as a result of the diligent work of the Civil Guard.
This workshop, called Jalgi, is an industrial unit with 8,000 square feet of space inside.
It’s tucked away in the San Andrés neighborhood of Mondragón.
A hideout was built inside the warehouse with a complicated entry using a hydraulic access system.
The police officers couldn’t gain access to the hidden room where Lara was being held until 6:30 this morning.
[somber string music playing]
[string music fades]
[fiancé] Just promise you’ll think about it.
I promise.
[sighs] Goodbye.
You better go.
Don’t want to miss your train.
[door opens, closes]
CATERING BUDGET FOR WEDDING SERVICE
[tense music playing]
[Julio] He’s a sergeant who’s volunteered for the mission.
He’s special forces.
He knows what he’s in for.
You have the schedule and itinerary.
We included photos you supposedly took of him.
If all goes according to plan, you could be given higher access in the organization.
Sir.
What are your plans for me?
To get you to France.
We’re figuring out how.
If all goes according to plan, when the time comes, you’ll become a militant there for ETA.
And my mission in France, what is it?
To infiltrate the top ranks and help us find any cells they have hidden in the area.
To locate their stockpiles of guns and explosives.
We’ve been looking for years.
So that’ll be a couple more years.
Yes. Maybe more.
[phone rings]
[ringing stops]
[elevator bell dings]
[Amaya] Begoña? Why are you here?
You and I need to talk.
Of course.
Not here.
[tense music playing]
[tense music dies down]
[Amaya] Why’d you bring me out here?
[Begoña] We know you’ve been meeting a man at a hotel.
It’s Antonio.
I told you about him before.
[Begoña] No, that’s not true.
I did.
[Begoña] Who is he?
My boyfriend from Brussels.
He wants to get married.
Why didn’t you take him to your house?
Begoña.
I mean, he was just trying to be romantic.
But is my dating life cause for an interrogation?
My private life is not…
You don’t have a private life, Amaia.
You’re an ETA militant, is that clear?
I got what you asked for.
Show it to me.
[car door opens, closes]
He’s a sergeant for the Civil Guard.
Same routine like clockwork.
At 7:50 every day, he drives to the station from his house.
No stopping in between.
His street is right off the main road.
[Begoña] The sergeant is our next target.
Andoni’s leading the mission for that cell.
You’ll be driving him.
Any experience with a gun?
No.
[gun cocks]
[Begoña] It’s easier than it looks.
[gunshot echoes]
[Amaya breathing shakily]
[suspenseful music playing]
[gun clicks]
[Amaya gasps]
[Amaya cries out]
[both grunting]
[gasping]
[groans]
[panting]
[engine turns over]
Everything went wrong.
That cop knows what I look like.
Don’t worry about that, okay?
According to the latest reports, he’s in critical condition right now.
Take it away.
What?
Take the gun. I don’t want it anymore.
That gun saved your life.
I know that.
But I don’t want to use it ever again.
I appreciate it.
[Julio] The sergeant is out of danger.
We told reporters he was in critical condition to avoid any problems it might cause you.
I’m sorry, but I thought the sergeant knew…
We informed him.
But in the heat of the moment, he ignored orders.
He said he wanted to make it more believable.
Of course.
I’ve never fired a weapon at another person before that.
And it wasn’t a criminal who got hurt.
It was a fellow officer.
I suggest you focus on how important this was in furthering our mission.
No one will doubt your loyalty.
[contemplative music playing]
[sighs]
[Amaya] I wanna go home.
[rain pattering gently] If I don’t stop the mission now, I know my life will never go back to normal.
I’m sorry about this, sir.
But I’ve reached my limit.
You don’t have to explain anything.
You made your country proud.
Can I do anything to help?
A recommendation?
No.
I think, after this, I’m done.
[Julio] Have you thought about what you’re going to tell Begoña?
[Amaya] Yeah.
I’ll stick to the truth.
[music swells] [speaking inaudibly]
[bells chiming in distance]
[contemplative music subsides]
I don’t know.
I guess she wasn’t built for this.
Maybe not.
But she’s not built for a husband and family either, trust me.
CARMONA, SEVILLE
[bells chiming outside]
[news fanfare playing on TV]
[reporter] Good evening.
We have confirmation that ETA has kidnapped the head of the People’s Party tonight in Ermua.
Miguel Ángel Blanco Garrido.
Wait a minute.
An anonymous caller to the Egin newspaper threatened to kill the councilman within 48 hours, which is the day after tomorrow, Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
That is, unless the Ministry of Home Affairs agrees to transfer all detained ETA prisoners to prisons in Basque Country.
They’ll execute him.
The Minister Mayor informed the president and the minister…
Take my dress off.
Hundreds of Miguel Ángel Blanco Garrido’s neighbors spontaneously came out in protest against his kidnapping here in Ermua.
This, just hours after the news spread through the town.
They are standing together in silent opposition…
MIGUEL, WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU
[bells tolling the hour]
[hushed, nervous chatter]
[reporter 1] But the focus here today wasn’t on the politicians.
It was on civil society, as millions of people throughout Spain rose up in opposition.
The message was clear.
They have had enough of this terrible cycle of violence, which has taken its toll on our citizens.
[reporter 2] We are now in the final hours before time is up on their demands.
The ultimatum given by the terrorist group ETA ends at 4:00 p.m.
People here are gathered in the streets to support the family in their hope that Miguel Ángel will soon be returned to them.
[mournful music playing]
[music subsides]
[tense music playing]
[crowd chanting] That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough!
That’s enough! That’s…
[gun fires]
[music cuts out]
SAN SEBASTIÁN, JULY 12 MAN FOUND IN LASARTE WITH TWO GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THE HEAD
[pensive music playing]
What do we have on the cells?
Not much.
From what we can gather, there are five scattered across southern France.
After five years, we’re no closer to finding ’em.
It’s their bestkept secret.
You need to reestablish contact with Begoña.
Then we’ll have Andoni brought in.
His arrest will force them to relocate you to France.
That’s when you take the reins.
You’ll be our eyes and ears.
But before all that, you need to regain Begoña’s trust.
It’s a good time to come back.
There are fewer and fewer ETA operatives.
You go first.
I heard about how they kept harassing our people over the news.
My heart ripped in two.
I just feel so stupid.
I almost wasted my life with Antonio in Brussels.
[sighs]
Was that the right move with the council leader?
No.
It’ll turn out bad.
It won’t be easy to recover politically.
But what’s done is done.
They arrested Andoni this morning.
Can he keep quiet?
He’ll break.
You better go to France before you’re identified.
I’m planning on going as well.
[unsettling music playing]
TWO YEARS LATER SOUTH OF FRANCE
[indistinct chatter]
[goose honking in distance]
[honking intensifies]
[unsettling music swells]
[goose honking loudly]
[reporter] Twenty kilograms of dynamite planted in a van exploded as Fernando Buesa, secretary of the Alavese Socialist Party, walked by.
He was spokesperson for the Basque parliament.
He was accompanied by his aide, Jorge Díez Elorza.
[mournful instrumental music playing]
[reporter 2] José Luis López was murdered at 9:45 this morning.
He was shot right in front of his home in Andoáin.
An individual shot him four times, twice in the head and twice in the throat.
López de Lacalle was a founding member of the Ermua Forum.
He was 63 years old, married, and a father of two.
[reporter 3] The former socialist health minister, Ernest Lluch, has been murdered tonight in a parking lot outside his home.
He was shot twice in the head.
The attack took place just before 10:00 p.m.
Because the corpse was hidden, his body wasn’t found until 90 minutes later.
[mournful music fades]
[thunder rumbling in distance]
[thunder crashes]
BIRD HIDEOUT: ETA’S SAFE AND DOCUMENTARY ARCHIVE
[loud metallic clang]
[Amaya] They call him Dagoki.
I’ve been his driver for the past week.
[Julio] His real name’s Juan Cruz Maiza Artola.
Four years ago, we pulled his prints during a sweep.
We think he’s the one that guards over the cells.
It looks like we’re finally on the right track.
[sighs] Right.
I waited here.
Dagoki got out of a red Nissan, license plate 5522 SO 33.
I don’t think they came from far away.
[Julio] Why’s that?
The rain had stopped minutes before they showed up, but the car was dry.
It was sheltered from the rain.
Dagoki got in, and we left from there.
The nearest towns are Mouguerre and Ayherre.
One of the cells could be around here.
But there’s more.
And I think I have an idea on the location of another cell.
I drove Dagoki here yesterday.
He got into a gray Ford, license plate 2776 LA 33.
When they left, they were followed by a blue Mercedes van.
License plate 4563 MA 33.
They went south.
Toward Urrugne.
The cell must be around here.
URRUGNE HIDEOUT: EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS, GRENADES, GRENADE LAUNCHERS
Great work.
[sighs] Thank you, sir.
It’s my daughter’s birthday today.
[sniffles]
You cut your hair, Amaia.
It suits you.
Is there a new boyfriend?
No.
[“Il cuore è uno zingaro” by Nicola Di Bari playing] You’ll pick up a car at this address tomorrow.
A red Citroën.
The keys are inside.
[romantic Italian ballad continues]
You’ll take it to Dax at 4:00 p.m.
Next to the parking lot across from the bridge.
A woman will be waiting there for you.
Give her the car and come back.
[romantic ballad fades]
[Amaya] That’s her.
Fabianne Tapia.
[tense music playing]
Girlfriend of ETA’s number one agent, Iñaki de Rentería.
They have a daughter together.
It’s been a while since she’s popped up on our radar.
We’ll watch her house.
Rentería will stop by her place.
And when he does, we’ll take him in.
[reporter speaking French on TV]
[door opens]
Your mother passed away.
[mournful strings playing]
[Amaya inhales sharply]
You need me to stay?
No.
[exhales shakily]
[mournful music fades]
[tense music playing]
[woman] What happened?
They were wellinformed.
They knew his every move.
I think they knew where he was staying for a while.
[indistinct radio chatter]
They stormed in and surprised him.
He had no time to destroy anything.
They confiscated boxes full of documents.
It doesn’t look good.
It was our most secure location.
Tell Begoña that it’s time we get together.
You can join us, but tell her the driver’s not invited.
Thanks to the documents we seized at Rentería’s, we’ve confirmed the name of the cell that’s located in this area.
“Txernobil.”
We believe it’s the most important one.
We’re sweeping the area around the other cell’s location.
Between SaintPierred’Irube and Mouguerre.
This area is where we think a cell by the name of Txori is located.
[woman] I’ve looked deeper into the latest round of arrests.
We were a few steps ahead of the Civil Guard a couple years ago, but it seems they’ve not only managed to close the gap, but they’re ahead now.
And it’s not from any break in our rules around secrecy either.
Or because of coordinated cooperation between the French police and Civil Guard.
There’s another reason.
It appears we have a mole.
Until this mole is found and purged, don’t trust anyone, no matter how close they are.
[Arrieta] I think I know who our mole is.
[indistinct chatter]
[tense music subsides]
You’re not hungry?
No, thanks. I’m fine.
Something’s wrong?
Our people are dropping like flies.
The Civil Guard is closing in.
Maybe they’re already here.
What made you join ETA?
Wait, why are you asking me now?
Because you dropped everything to get back here. It’s strange.
My reasons aren’t the same as yours, all right?
But that doesn’t make them any worse.
Whatever happens, you’ll have your children. I don’t have anyone…
I don’t give a damn about you having to leave that guy behind.
I was asking why you joined.
I was doing everything on my own before I joined, all right?
I wanted community for once.
To be a part of something and to feel supported.
What we do, it’s important.
Today you’re driving him.
[Arrieta] Go.
[tense music playing]
Turn left here.
[tense music building]
Pull over here.
[tense music fades]
[gun cocks]
Hey, hey.
Hey, is this necessary?
He’s a mole for the pigs.
Put your arms behind the seat.
Easy.
Do it now.
All right. Here. Take it easy.
Come on. Take it.
Watch him.
Here. Give it to me.
[softly] Hey. Listen.
I’m a captain in the Air Force.
The border is a few miles away.
Just start the car, take me to Spain, and I promise you, I can get all of the charges…
[tense music resumes]
Start the car.
Dear Lord, please forgive me for all the sins I’ve done over the years.
My name’s Miguel Luque.
Tell my family that I love them and that I never…
[gasps]
You unfuckingbelievable…
You stupid motherfucker.
I promise if you do that again, I will kill you myself, I swear.
You hear me? I’ll kill you.
[breathing shakily]
[Julio] I promise you, we didn’t know about him.
How was his cover blown?
The captain, God rest his soul, and the Secret Service, they got sloppy.
As you know, there’s no room for mistakes.
Not in this fight.
Tomorrow we’re arresting Begoña.
We’re also gonna take in some other ETA members who handle logistics.
I wanted to give you a heads-up.
She was going to see her kids this weekend.
She can see ’em from prison.
[bustling chatter]
[engine stops]
It’s been a year since I’ve seen my children.
I’m a little worried.
[exhales]
Wish me luck, all right?
[loud clattering]
[gulls crying]
I have a bad feeling about this.
Everywhere I look, there’s fucking pigs.
I know how bad you miss your children.
But if you think they’re following us, maybe we just turn back around.
No. Don’t worry, it’s fine.
[somber music playing]
See ya later.
See ya later.
[sighs]
[somber music building]
[man] It’s a little out of the way, but it’s the safest place since Begoña was arrested.
You’ll stay here.
[newscaster speaking French on radio]
Hello.
Hello.
Your room’s ready.
It’s upstairs. Second door on the left.
[Amaya sighs]
[somber music subsides]
[geese honking outside]
[woman] There’s no way the informant we executed could’ve been responsible for all of these arrests.
He’d been in France for less than a year.
There’s another mole who’s been with us for longer.
We need to talk to our old friend Txiki.
[ominous music playing]
[Txiki grunts]
It’s sure been a while, Txiki.
[Txiki] Yeesh. Over ten years.
Yeah, time sure does pass.
Here are the names of all the prisoners.
I need to have all the information on their arrest.
And the people they were in contact with.
Someone’s playing both sides.
They’ve been doing it for quite some time.
[tense music building]
[tense music subsides]
[“Grande, grande, grande” by Mina playing]
[panting]
[hopeful Italian ballad continues]
TXERNOBIL 500 KG OF EXPLOSIVES 4,000 ELECTRIC DETONATORS 50 UZIS 33 GRENADE LAUNCHERS 300 RIFLES AND SUBMACHINE GUNS 2 GROUNDTOAIR MISSILES
[ballad fades]
[Amaya] The den’s here.
I saw the lights on about a mile away.
It looks like an abandoned house.
[sighs] With this one, we’ve located all five hideouts, sir.
Do you have any children?
Two. A boy and a girl.
The girl’s just graduated the academy.
She wants to be a nurse, but we don’t speak to each other.
How come?
She despises the Civil Guard.
I can’t convince her we don’t follow Franco anymore.
I remember being angry with my father.
[sighs] It’s strange, but I’ve had more years without my parents than with them around.
[gentle, reflective music playing]
I don’t remember their voices.
I barely remember what they looked like.
The songs used to talk to each other, who picked them out?
My wife.
Tell her I really appreciated it.
She died three years ago.
My condolences.
[sighs]
[music grows foreboding]
[woman] Good to see you, Txiki.
Is that all of it?
All the prisoners.
[in Basque] See you around.
Bye.
[tense music continues]
[man] “Neither law Nor duty bade me to fight” “Nor glory nor cheering crowds” “A lonely impulse of delight Led to this tumult in the clouds” “I weighed it all, mulled it over” “The years to come seemed a sterile life As did the years gone by” “Faced with this life, this death” [sighs] Well? What do you think?
Honestly, I’m not sure.
It’s been a while since I’ve read translated poetry like this.
But these verses and some of the wording?
It all feels outdated and stale.
I see here “cheering crowds.”
After that, it goes, “A lonely impulse of delight Led to this tumult in the clouds.”
An academic or old poet wrote it.
That’s what my take is.
[sighs]
[indistinct chatter]
[woman] I want you to look into these three.
One of them’s our mole.
Where should I begin?
This one.
[suspenseful music playing]
Let’s get moving.
I’ll tell you how to get there.
Pull over.
You mind if I smoke?
I prefer you don’t.
So I hear you have quite the talent for translating English poetry, is that right?
One Irish poet, more than others.
Yeats.
Do you know Yeats?
No.
But I read the poem that you translated.
I wish I could remember the title.
“An Irish Airman Foresees His Death.”
Yeah.
That’s it.
[tense music pulsing]
[exhales shakily]
[man] I’m telling you, no one was born, much less buried, here by the name Edurne Elósegui.
I’m 100% certain.
It’s a small district.
I know the name of every single person buried here by heart.
I’m sorry, sir.
Whoever that funeral director was, I think they’ve misinformed you.
[phone ringing]
Yes.
[man speaking indistinctly on phone]
[Julio sighs deeply]
I understand, sir.
[receiver clatters]
They’ve informed me that I’m charged with three counts of torture from my time at Intxaurrondo.
INTXAURRONDO BASE 9 SENTENCES FOR TORTURE 5 FOR KIDNAPPING AND 5 FOR MURDER
[man] Yeah. On March 22, the funeral home where I worked picked up Edurne Elósegui’s body.
It was supposed to arrive at Aramaio Valley Cemetery.
But they have no record of receiving the body.
It’s odd.
When I looked into what happened to the body, the drivers explained to me it was picked up from the retirement home but didn’t go to the Aramaio Valley Cemetery.
Or anywhere else in Basque Country.
But… they delivered it here.
Cazalla de la Sierra.
In Seville.
[music grows somber]
[Julio] We have reports saying they’re on edge.
They know there’s a mole.
You’re in danger.
Command has terminated your mission.
I’m done?
We’ve already located the five hideouts.
It’s too risky.
The operation to dismantle them has been escalated.
We move in on the third.
We’ll pull you out on the same day to avoid suspicion.
Tune in to the 9:00 a.m. news every day on the National Radio station.
If we suspect you’ve been discovered, we’ll play the song “Parole, parole” at the end of the broadcast.
When this is all over, what’s your next move?
I suppose I want to make friends again.
Friends who aren’t like us, you know?
[phone ringing]
[Txiki] I found your mole.
It’s your driver.
[music grows menacing]
[sighs]
OPERATION SANCTUARY
[busy chatter]
Commander. Are you ready to go?
[music fades] [man on radio] Good morning, and welcome, everyone.
Every morning, we like to update you on current affairs, and this morning, we have news of a local event.
They’re calling it a day of exchange.
It’s a gathering of medical professionals.
They’re here to exchange ideas and strategies, led by the Catalonian Secretary of Health, Manuel Llombart.
We were discussing earlier today how there is an increase lately in community efforts by our institutions.
It’s encouraging to see high-ranking officials taking time out of their schedules to visit our local communities.
People are encouraged to stop in.
It’s a rare opportunity to…
[shower running]
[indistinct chatter]
Sir, you need to hear this right away.
[Txiki on recording] I found your mole.
It’s your driver.
[suspenseful music pulsing]
Someone call the National Radio.
Put the song on. Now.
[shower running]
[“Parole, parole” playing on radio]
[phone rings]
[menacing music playing]
Yeah.
[woman] It’s the driver.
Understood.
[gun clicks]
[Julio] We called them late.
Maybe she didn’t hear it.
Get me the French Police.
We’ll have ’em play it locally.
[newscaster on radio] That wraps up sports for the week, as well as national news.
We turn it over now to the local station.
More news at the top of the hour.
[radio clicks off]
[newscaster speaking French on radio]
[menacing music dies down]
Good morning.
[woman] Morning.
Any coffee left?
No, I just finished the last of it.
[suspenseful music playing]
[in French] Do you have the song “Parole, parole” by Mina?
There’s a French version.
Yes, French.
Look for it. Please.
[newscaster speaking French]
[vehicle approaches]
[car door closes]
[in English] Dagoki has a job. Come on.
When I’m done smoking.
[French version of “Parole, parole” playing on radio] Is the drive long?
It’s not too bad.
I need the bathroom.
[Amaya panting]
[spirited ballad continues]
[gun cocks]
[officers clamoring]
[police radio beeps]
[bittersweet spokenword ballad building]
[officer shouting orders]
[siren wailing]
[passionate ballad ends]
OPERATION SANCTUARY WAS THE BIGGEST BLOW EVER DEALT TO ETA.
WITH THEIR HIDEOUTS DESTROYED AND LEADERSHIP DISMANTLED, IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TERRORIST GROUP FELL.
SEVEN YEARS LATER, IN OCTOBER OF 2011, ETA ANNOUNCED A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE.
SHE WALKS IN DARKNESS
[darkly mysterious electronic a playing]
[electronic a fades]
[gentle instrumental music playing]
