1919, Chronicle of Dawn

The film follows José Garcés, who finds himself in a French prison camp in 1939 after the defeat of Spain's Republicans. To uplift his fellow inmates, he recounts his experiences from 1919, a year that shaped his understanding of life and death. With a demanding father and a lost fortune, José navigates adolescence in Zaragoza, balancing his studies with an apprenticeship in a pharmacy.

As he courts Valentina through letters, his life takes unexpected turns as he meets Isabel, a maid who shares his ideals of free love. Influenced by El Checa, an anarchist teacher, José also becomes involved in a doomed revolt. The film's narrative intricately weaves personal growth with historical context, making it a poignant exploration of youth amid chaos.