The 2022 documentary Strangers to Peace, directed by Laura Angel and Noah DeBonis, offers an intimate exploration of the lives of three former child soldiers as they grapple with retribution, anxiety, and danger while attempting to rebuild their lives after leaving the notorious FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerrilla group.
The documentary centers on the powerful personal stories of Dayana, a transgender woman navigating her new identity after years in the conflict; Ricardo, a young father secretly holding onto his communist beliefs; and Alexandra, an indigenous child soldier who was forcibly separated from her family in the jungles of the Amazon. Through these stories, the film sheds light on the complex human experiences behind the headlines of Colombia’s bloody civil war, while revealing the often-overlooked perspectives of those who were once part of the armed struggle. In Strangers to Peace, the individual narratives of these three protagonists are brought to the forefront, revealing their struggles, transformations, and the brutal realities of reintegration into a society that often sees them as enemies. Their lives are examined through the lens of Laura Angel, who, as a victim of FARC violence, brings a deeply personal perspective to the project. For Angel, this documentary is not just a work of filmmaking - it is a reflection of her own experiences and her search for understanding in a country torn apart by years of violence.
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One of the central figures in Strangers to Peace is Dayana, a market vendor who was born a man but is now navigating her identity as a trans woman. Her story is both poignant and powerful, offering insight into the intersection of violence, gender identity, and the desire for a new life. Dayana’s journey after leaving the FARC is fraught with challenges, as she faces discrimination, the remnants of her past, and the difficulty of reconciling her identity with the harsh realities of post-conflict Colombia. As a transgender woman, Dayana is forced to confront not only the trauma of her time in the FARC but also the societal stigma that surrounds transgender individuals in a country still healing from decades of civil war. Her story adds another layer to the complex narrative of reintegration, highlighting how gender identity can play a significant role in the struggles of those trying to adapt to a society that often remains unwelcoming and rigid. In a context where gender norms are often strictly defined, Dayana’s experience as a trans woman seeking peace and acceptance presents a unique perspective on the broader issues of healing and reconciliation.
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Ricardo, another former child soldier, provides an intriguing narrative as he secretly clings to his communist ideals, despite the changing political landscape in Colombia. Now a father, Ricardo’s story is marked by internal conflict. While he is physically away from the guerrilla movement, the ideological battle within him remains unresolved. He struggles with his desire to provide for his child while grappling with the remnants of his revolutionary beliefs, which once fueled his participation in the FARC. Ricardo’s attempt to balance his past with his present is a reflection of the broader challenge that many former guerrillas face: the desire for a different future while still holding onto the ideals that led them to war in the first place. His character highlights the emotional and psychological burdens carried by those who were part of the conflict, especially for individuals like him who have become fathers and must protect their children while facing the consequences of their violent pasts.
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Strangers to Peace offers an unflinching look at Ricardo’s inner turmoil as he seeks a new path for himself and his family, away from the ideology that once defined him. Alexandra, the third key figure in the film, is an indigenous child soldier who was forcibly recruited by the FARC, causing her to leave her family behind in the Amazon jungle. Her story is one of lost childhood and the struggle to reconnect with her roots. Alexandra’s journey is marked by deep emotional scars, as she attempts to rebuild her life in a society that doesn’t always understand her experiences as an indigenous woman and former rebel fighter. Her struggles to find peace are complicated by the cultural and geographical distances she must cross, as well as the scars left by the violence she witnessed and participated in. Alexandra’s story speaks to the collective pain of indigenous communities who have long been victims of both the conflict and the marginalization that follows. Through her, Strangers to Peace illustrates the complexity of reconciliation - not only between the former combatants and society but also between the individual and their cultural heritage.
The film's co-director, Laura Angel, brings a deeply personal perspective to Strangers to Peace. Having been kidnapped by the FARC when she was 23 years old, Angel had her own first-hand experience with the guerrilla group. She was held captive for three days after being taken from a bus by guerrilla soldiers, an experience that profoundly shaped her understanding of the conflict. It was during this time that she came to realize that the guerrillas, whom she had previously viewed as "demons" due to the stories told by her grandfather, were, in fact, people from extreme poverty who had sought refuge in the FARC. Angel’s encounter with the guerrillas blurred the line between victim and victimizer, and it was this nuanced understanding of Colombia's conflict that inspired her to tell the stories of those who had been part of the FARC. The kidnapping, though terrifying, was a catalyst for Angel’s desire to learn more about the individuals involved in the guerrilla movement and to understand the complex motivations behind their actions. This desire to humanize the FARC fighters, rather than demonize them, is evident throughout Strangers to Peace, where the filmmakers show a balanced portrayal of former child soldiers and their struggles to reintegrate into a fractured society.
Working alongside Angel is Noah DeBonis, the film's co-director, who brings a unique perspective to the project. Raised in a Vietnamese refugee camp, Noah was deeply familiar with the experience of displacement. His background and shared desire to tell the stories of people who have been marginalized and displaced aligned with Angel’s mission to shed light on the lives of those affected by the Colombian conflict. Together, they formed a filmmaking team dedicated to telling authentic stories from the perspectives of those who are often excluded from mainstream narratives. Strangers to Peace is not just a documentary about former guerrillas; it is a reflection of the broader struggle of post-conflict Colombia. The film addresses the difficulties of reintegrating former combatants into civilian life, a process fraught with danger, anxiety, and societal rejection.
The personal stories of Dayana, Ricardo, and Alexandra are microcosms of the wider challenges faced by the millions of Colombians affected by the armed conflict. Through their eyes, the film explores the emotional toll of war and the painstaking journey toward peace, healing, and acceptance. In addition to offering a nuanced view of the lives of former guerrillas, Strangers to Peace also offers a critique of the media’s portrayal of the conflict. As a Colombian woman who lived through the violence and displacement caused by the FARC, Angel feels a strong responsibility to tell these stories authentically. She believes that the stories of those who were once labeled as "the enemy" deserve to be heard, especially as Colombia continues to heal from decades of violence.
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The documentary is a testament to the resilience of those who have survived the horrors of war and a reminder of the complexities involved in achieving peace. Strangers to Peace shows us that peace is not simply the absence of war but the rebuilding of lives, the forging of new identities, and the gradual process of forgiveness and understanding. It is a film that seeks to humanize the very individuals who, for so long, were cast as villains, giving them a voice and a place in the ongoing narrative of Colombia’s post-conflict future. In conclusion, Strangers to Peace is a deeply personal, emotional, and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the challenges faced by former child soldiers in Colombia as they attempt to rebuild their lives after leaving the FARC. Through the lens of Dayana, Ricardo, and Alexandra, the film explores themes of identity, redemption, and the struggle for peace in a country that continues to reckon with its violent past. Laura Angel and Noah DeBonis have created a compelling, intimate portrayal of the human cost of conflict, making it a vital contribution to the conversation on Colombia’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation.
Image credits: Vimeo
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