The Lost Children: The Story of the Mucutuy Siblings, Now on Netflix

Netflix’s newest documentary, The Lost Children, directed by Oscar winner Orlando von Einsiedel, shares the incredible true story of four Indigenous siblings who endured 40 days in the Colombian Amazon after a plane crash took the lives of all the adults on board, including their mom.

The Story of the Mucutuy Siblings

In April 2023, the Mucutuy family boarded a small plane for a trip from Araracuara to San José del Guaviare, deep in Colombia’s jungle region. The plane, which was carrying the siblings—Lesly (13), Soleiny (9), Tien (4), and baby Cristin (11 months)—along with their mother and other passengers, experienced engine failure and went down. The bodies of the adults were found at the crash site, but the children were nowhere to be found.

This disappearance triggered a huge rescue mission, bringing together Colombia’s special forces and Indigenous volunteers. They were all in a race against time to find the kids alive in the thick, dangerous rainforest.

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The four children survived in the Amazon by tapping into the skills they picked up from their Indigenous upbringing. Lesly, the oldest, used her knowledge of the jungle to find edible plants, locate water, and protect her siblings. She was familiar with natural repellents and other survival techniques, which helped her play a critical role in shielding the group from the numerous threats of the rainforest, like poisonous plants, wildlife, and harsh weather conditions.

Rescuers spread hundreds of survival kits packed with food, water, and supplies all over the search area, hoping the kids would come across them. Adding a heartwarming touch to this tough situation, a dog named Wilson, who was part of the rescue team, is said to have joined the children for a while, providing comfort and friendship before he vanished into the jungle.

The rescue operation stood out due to the teamwork between Colombia’s military forces and Indigenous guides. Despite ongoing tensions between these groups, their mutual goal of finding the children fostered a unique partnership that combined state-of-the-art search techniques with in-depth knowledge of the jungle.

After 40 days, the children were discovered alive, about three miles from the crash site. Their survival was celebrated as an amazing testament to resilience and the strength of working together.

About the Documentary

The Lost Children presents an in-depth look at this amazing story, including firsthand accounts and archival video from those who played a role in the rescue. The film not only tells the tale of the siblings’ struggle for survival but also explores the rich layers of the Amazon rainforest and the diverse Indigenous cultures that flourish there.

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Director Orlando von Einsiedel described the project as a chance to showcase the kids’ incredible resilience and the teamwork between different groups that worked tirelessly to get them back home.

“It’s always crucial to approach stories involving painful human tragedies with the deepest respect and sensitivity they deserve. I was drawn to this particular narrative because it was clear there were many glimpses of incredible human resilience and strength within it—not just in the children’s struggle to survive in the forest alone, but also in the way the Indigenous rescuers and the military overcame their mutual mistrust and fear to come together in a dangerous and epic mission to rescue the children,” he said.

The documentary has captured attention for its portrayal of human survival and the complex relationships between Indigenous communities and outside authorities. It offers a glimpse into the challenges of navigating the Amazon and the survival skills needed to endure its harsh conditions.

Through the lens of this remarkable event, The Lost Children brings viewers to the core of the Amazon, highlighting the powerful lessons it imparts about resilience, adaptability, and coming together in tough times.