On August 4th, 1939, the cargo ship “Winnipeg” weighs anchor at the port of Trampeloup near Bordeaux. Destination: Chili. Nearly 2000 passengers are crammed together on board – men, women and children, Spanish refugees trying to escape from a murderous civil war that has claimed nearly one million victims. On the quayside, a man doffs his hat: Pablo Neruda, an as yet unknown Chilean poet who organised the trip.
With the help of archive material and eyewitnesses – passengers and crewmembers alike - the film follows the traces of this memorable crossing from Bordeaux to Valparaiso during the summer of 1939. Supported by a then democratic Chilean government, this voyage symbolised the last hope that was to lead those who had fought for their beliefs to a better life. On September 3rd, at dawn, the “Winnipeg” enters Valparaiso harbour while the newspapers announce the latest events: the Second World War has just been declared.