Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the early 1960s in the Dominican Republic, 'Before We Were Free' weaves the poignant tale of Anita de la Torre, a twelve-year-old girl whose family is embroiled in the secretive fight against the oppressive regime of General Trujillo. As her twelfth birthday approaches, the web of danger tightens around Anita with her relatives fleeing to the United States and her Uncle Toni's inexplicable disappearance. The once-veiled threats from the government's secret police become alarmingly direct, pressing the young girl into a hothouse of growth. Amidst the chaos, Anita’s eyes are opened to the frightful realities that have been shielded from her. Drawing strength from her family's courage, she must navigate the treacherous waters of fear and loss, leading her to the ultimate test of freedom—leaving everything she has ever known behind.