From the first days under the colonial powers of Portugal, through occupation by Indonesia to their last days under UN rule, we chart the agonising battle for freedom in this troubled nation. "We never thought to surrender. We never thought that we would lose this war. We always thought we would win because East Timor does not belong to Indonesia. It is our country", shouts one of the Falintil guerrilla movement . We go deep into the heart of the conflict with the Falintil freedom fighters, one of the world's most inaccessible guerrilla forces, and witness the battles they face. We also hear first hand from the enemies they are risking their lives to destroy - the pro Indonesian militia.

Formed when Indonesia invaded in 1975 - Falintil is an elite corps of 7000 Portuguese trained soldiers and 20,000 volunteers, dedicated to freeing East Timor. In the lead up to the referendum 2 years ago, they proved that "To win without fighting is the best strategy of all". Whilst Indonesian backed militia were terrorising those in favour of Independence, Falintil risked accusations of abandoning their followers, by staying in their camps while thousands of ordinary civilians were killed. It was a tortuous plan, but one that paid off in the end..."As guerrillas, our hearts were broken because we had weapons and we allowed our people to be killed anyway. That really broke our hearts", says Falur Rate La'ek, Falintil commander.

July 1998. Students cause turmoil on the streets of Jakarta and demand Suharto's resignation. Falintil leader Xanana Gusmao is in jail. We're with Commander Leki in the jungle. Leki lost his fingertips in a grenade blast, and believes Lulik saved his life. Many Falintil soldiers credit their survival to the power of Lulik, which combines traditional Animist beliefs with Catholic symbolism. Now, as a Lulik commander, he blesses the Talisman that will protect his soldiers.

On May 5th 1999, news of a breakthrough reaches the mountains: the UN plan to hold a referendum on independence for East Timor. But hopes for a peaceful end to 24 years of Indonesian rule are soon overshadowed by rumours of an Indonesian campaign of intimidation. Tomas Goncalves was a pro-Indonesia leader. He handed Falintil documents detailing a campaign of terror by Indonesia's military - "forming the militia, giving us the arms and the money as required" - to subvert the vote to make sure that East Timor remained under Indonesian control. The army planned to smoke the guerrillas out of the mountains, but when Falintil discovered the plot they confined all soldiers to camp. This time, the referendum would decide.

The world watched as the violence escalated. Falintil's fighters were frustrated, and questioned their confinement. "At the time, there were 2 choices; do you want self determination or do you want to prolong the war?" says Riak Limon -Falintil UN Liaison. Having failed to scare off voters, provoke Falintil or prevent the vote, Indonesia implemented the final stage of the plan: the killing of independence leaders. As churches across East Timor took in thousands of people, Indonesia sent in military reinforcements. As the slaughter stepped up. Falintil talked to Xanana Gusmao in Jakarta via satellite phone, begging the right to defend the people who need protection. Xanana threatened to resign if the fighters left the base. The confinement held. "The majority of the guerrillas have family involved. Imagine the despair of our people at this time", says one commander.

Falintil has won its final battle - they have beaten their enemies by refusing to join the war. With access to all sides and containing exclusive footage of pivotal events unfolding, this is a compelling look at the last years of East Timor's 24 year long struggle for independence.

Produced by Sophie Barry and Lyndal Barry