Carla’s Song

In 1987, Carla, a Nicaraguan refugee, first encounters George, a Scottish bus driver, when she sneaks onto his bus without paying. They share coffee and begin to form a connection, though Carla remains hesitant to reveal her life story or origins. George shows kindness by helping her find a place to stay after her initial distress.

George discovers Carla in a state of distress, having slit her wrists in the bathtub, and takes her to the hospital. It is revealed that Carla had previously attempted suicide six weeks earlier. Her mental state is fragile, and she is haunted by her past and traumatic memories.

While recovering in the hospital, Carla explains she read disturbing letters from her boyfriend Antonio, which she had not opened before. The content shocks her, leading her to attempt self-harm, and she confesses her confusion about Antonio’s fate and her family’s whereabouts.

Moved by Carla’s suffering and her desire to find out what happened to her loved ones, George decides they must travel back to Nicaragua. Their goal is to uncover the fate of Antonio and Carla’s family amidst the ongoing Nicaragua conflict.

Arriving in Nicaragua, George and Carla encounter Bradley, an aid worker who is investigating human rights abuses by the Contras. Carla learns that her boyfriend Antonio might be nearby, but Bradley claims he does not know Antonio’s whereabouts, hinting at the dangerous political environment.

While en route to the northern part of Nicaragua, the truck’s engine overheats and explodes with a loud burst, causing Carla to become catatonic from shock. Bradley intervenes, offering to help them continue their journey and calm Carla down during her breakdown.

During their travels, Bradley admits that Antonio has been living with him. Carla confronts Bradley about letting go of his past, revealing her own struggles with traumatic memories of being attacked and witnessing Antonio get shot, which deeply haunts her.

The group reaches Carla’s family village, where they are warned about nearby Contra fighters. Later, the village comes under heavy attack by the Contras, resulting in deaths and destruction as villagers fight back amid explosions and chaos.

George discovers Carla has a baby daughter with Antonio. He offers her the chance to return to Glasgow with him and their child, but Carla refuses, choosing to stay in Nicaragua. The revelation highlights her deep connection and loyalty to her homeland.

Bradley reveals that Antonio was captured by Contras working out of Honduras and subjected to extreme torture, including having his tongue cut out, his spine broken, and being burned with acid. Carla witnesses these horrors from her hiding place, devastated by the violence.

George receives a letter from Carla, written before she leaves for the north, indicating she plans to find Antonio and possibly take her own life again. Heartbroken, George realizes her suffering is far from over, and he prepares to leave Nicaragua to return home.

George steals a bus, and with Bradley’s help, they set out to find Carla, who is in a state of dread and trauma. Their search leads them to Bradley’s village, where Carla is curled up, afraid of reuniting with Antonio and haunted by her past experiences.

George finds Antonio, who is severely disfigured from the acid torture he endured. Antonio plays his guitar, and Carla, overwhelmed with emotion, sings her song in accompaniment. This poignant moment signifies her acceptance and the healing of her emotional wounds.

The next day, George prepares to return to Glasgow, having helped Carla find closure. Their emotional farewell marks the end of their shared journey, with both keeping each other in their hearts as they move forward, changed by their experiences.