The Lost Children is Netflix’s latest documentary — a true story about how four children survived a plane that crashed in the Amazon rainforest in Colombia on May 1, 2023.
The documentary premiered on Tuesday, November 14, becoming the third most-watched movie on the streaming platform shortly after its debut. The film also has all the celebrities talking — just like Us.
Directed by Oscar winner Orlando von Einsiedel (The White Helmets, Virunga), with codirectors Jorge Durán and British-Peruvia and journalist Lali Houghton, The Lost Children tells the story of how children Lesly, Tien, Soleiny and Cristin survived a violent plane crash that killed their mom. It also unravels the mystery of how the young survivors managed to live in the Amazon rainforest for 40 days.
Joe Jonas, Phoebe Tonkin, Paul Wesley, Samara Weaving and Ron Howard are among the celebrities that have praised the doc and urged fans to watch it, with some writing supportive messages on their Instagram stories.
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Over the weekend, Wesley wrote on his story: “So proud of my friends @mark_bauch and @orlandovoneinsiedel Everyone watch The Lost Children on Netflix. Out now!”
Tonkin, shared a similar message, “My friends @mark_bauch & @orlandovoneinsiedel made this beautiful and inspiring film I can’t wait to watch it @netflix.”
Jonas wrote “Make sure to watch unreal story.”
The film features first-hand testimonies and extraordinary archive material from those who risked their lives to search for the children, including the Colombian Army, Indigenous volunteer rescuers, and dedicated family members.
According to The Washington Post, the kids originally intended to board the small, six-seater plane with their mom, Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia, to start a new life in Bogotá, Colombia with Magdalena’s husband and Tien and Cristin’s father, Manuel Miller Ranoque. Their journey came after their family’s village was taken over by a criminal group.
Around 35 minutes into the flight the engine failed, causing the aircraft to plunge head-first into the jungle. The three adults who were seated in the front of the plane died during or immediately after the crash. The reason the children survived, it’s believed, is because they were seated in the back of the plane where the aircraft sustained the least amount of damage. During the children’s time in the Amazon, they reportedly lived off seeds, roots and plants.
Two weeks after the crash, Colombian soldiers found Hernán Murcia, the pilot, Indigenous leader Herman Mendoza Hernández and Magdalena all dead.
“It’s always crucial to treat stories involving painful human tragedy with the deep respect and sensitivity they deserve,” von Einsiedel said in a press release announcing the film. “I was drawn to this particular narrative because it was clear that within it were many glimpses of incredible human resilience and strength — not only the children’s battle to survive in the forest alone but also the way in which Indigenous rescuers and the military were able to overcome their mutual mistrust and fear to unite in a dangerous and epic mission to rescue the children.”
