Don Plutarco, his son Genaro and grandson Lucio are humble musicians that make a living from farming. Plutarco is also a rebel sympathizer who`s hiding weapons on his land. The day arrives when their village is occupied by the military and the inhabitants are forced to flee; yet Plutarco takes his violin and heads back to town. He wins the favor of the captain who`s seized the village, and uses his new found position as hand-picked entertainer to help the rebels carry out their plans. Plutarco and the captain enter into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse that can only end in betrayal. Francisco Vargas Quevedo` black and white cinematography gives [The Violin] a documentary-like, social-realist imprint that`s only heightened by a sparing soundtrack that relies largely on Plutarco`s violin, and the themes of state repression will resonate with contemporary audiences familiar with Mexico`s current political struggles.