Carla’s Song

Carla’s Song

Year: 1996

Runtime: 125 mins

Language: English

Director: Ken Loach

RomanceDramaWar

A dream called freedom. A nightmare called Nicaragua. A Glasgow man visits war-torn Nicaragua with a refugee tormented by her memories.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Carla’s Song (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Carla’s Song (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1987

Set in 1987, the film reflects a period of intense geopolitical tension during the Cold War era. It was a time characterized by civil unrest, Cold War conflicts, and U.S. involvement in Central America. The movie captures the social and political climate of this period, emphasizing the impact of war and propaganda on individuals and communities.

Location

Glasgow, Nicaragua, Honduras

The movie takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, a city known for its industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene, as well as in Nicaragua and Honduras, which are marked by their war-torn landscapes and rural villages. These locations highlight the contrast between the tranquility of everyday life and the chaos of war. The settings serve as a backdrop for the characters' personal struggles and the broader conflicts of the region.

🌍 Urban 🌴 Tropical 🏞️ Rural

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

Main Characters – Carla’s Song (1996)

Meet the key characters of Carla’s Song (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

George Lennox

A compassionate Scottish bus driver who forms a tender bond with Carla. He displays quiet strength and kindness, driven by a desire to help others and find meaning beyond his routine life. His journey reflects themes of empathy and personal growth.

🎖️ Protector 🚍 Driver 💙 Caring

Carla

A traumatized Nicaraguan refugee haunted by her past and suffering from PTSD. Her fragile emotional state is contrasted with her resilience as she seeks closure and connection with her loved ones. Carla's character embodies vulnerability and inner strength.

🌺 Refugee 🌿 Survivor 😢 Haunted

Bradley

A U.S. aid worker involved in documenting human rights abuses. His struggle with his past and his efforts to aid others highlight the moral complexities of war. Bradley is both a helper and a symbol of the United States' controversial role in Central American conflicts.

🌎 Aid Worker ⚖️ Activist 💢 Conflicted

Antonio

Carla's boyfriend who has been brutalized and disfigured by Contra fighters. His character embodies the horrors of war, showcasing the physical and emotional toll on victims. Despite his disfigurement, his spirit and love remain intact.

🎸 Musician 💔 Victim 🧍‍♂️ Resilient

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

Major Themes – Carla’s Song (1996)

Explore the central themes of Carla’s Song (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🩸 Trauma

The movie explores the deep psychological scars left by war and violence. Carla's suffering from PTSD and her suicide attempt highlight how conflict affects mental health. The story emphasizes healing, the weight of past trauma, and the importance of confronting painful memories for closure.

❤️ Love and Compassion

Central to the film is the theme of love—romantic, familial, and altruistic. George's caring nature and Carla's vulnerability showcase how compassion can provide solace amidst chaos. The narrative underscores the power of human connection to overcome despair and find hope.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Political war romances like Carla’s Song

Love stories forged in the crucible of violent political conflict.If you enjoyed the complex relationship dynamics set against a war-ravaged landscape in Carla’s Song, you might like these movies. This thread features powerful dramas where love and human connection are tested by extreme political turmoil, offering similar heavy emotional stakes.

sombertensecompassionatetragicgrittypolitical

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow characters from different worlds whose relationship develops amidst the chaos of war. The central conflict is both personal and political, as the fight for survival and ideals constantly challenges the bond between the lovers, often leading to a somber or bittersweet resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on romance as a fragile hope within a dark, politically charged environment. They share a high emotional weight, a steady or methodical pace to build character and context, and a tone that balances human compassion with the grim realities of conflict.

Movies about trauma and redemption like Carla’s Song

Stories of characters seeking healing and purpose after profound suffering.For viewers who appreciated the deep exploration of PTSD and the search for healing in Carla’s Song, this section collects similar films. These stories follow characters carrying heavy burdens from their past, focusing on their arduous journey toward redemption or a painful reconciliation with their trauma.

traumaticsomberhopefulcompassionategrittypsychologicalcathartic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a character haunted by a traumatic past, whose journey—often aided by an unlikely companion—leads them back to the source of their pain. The story unfolds with a steady, immersive pace, focusing on internal conflict and gradual emotional breakthroughs rather than easy solutions, culminating in a resolution that acknowledges the permanence of scars while offering a glimmer of hope.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their primary focus on the psychological impact of trauma and the slow, often painful process of confronting it. They share a high intensity, a dark but compassionate tone, a steady pacing that allows for character depth, and a consistently heavy emotional weight.

Unlock the Full Story of Carla’s Song

Don't stop at just watching — explore Carla’s Song in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Carla’s Song is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Carla’s Song Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Carla’s Song, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Carla’s Song Summary

Carla’s Song Timeline

Track the full timeline of Carla’s Song with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Carla’s Song Timeline

Carla’s Song Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Carla’s Song that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Carla’s Song Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Carla’s Song

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Carla’s Song: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Carla’s Song

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