Direction: Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
Country: Spain
20,000 Species of Bees marks a poignant and delicately crafted debut for Spanish filmmaker Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren. Her sensitive work comes with conscientious observations, deserving praise. Managing to fill the gap between the simplicity of her filmmaking process and the complexity of the issues raised by the story, Solaguren fixates her gaze on Cocó (Sofia Otero), an eight-year-old transgender girl searching for answers and an identity. The time spent with her mother, Ane (Patricia López Arnaiz), and remaining family in her grandmother’s house, which is forever linked to beekeeping, will be determinant to reach an inevitable conclusion. All family members are affected and react differently.
Unfolding in the Basque Country, the narrative, inspired by the tragic real-life case of a 16-year-old who took their own life while awaiting hormone treatment, delves into the mental and physical struggles of not being born in the right body. Simultaneously, it explores the professional challenges and moral dilemmas faced by Ane, as well as the strained relationship with her passive-aggressive mother, Lita (Itziar Lazkano).
The international recognition is not surprising since rarely a film reflected on sexual identity with such clarity, moving forward with firmness without avoiding obstacles. The slow-paced developments serve to reinforce ideas, clarify relationships and positions, and establish a deep connection with the characters. And we are struck by the touching performance of Sofia Otero. This is a sincere and painful portrait that, while breathing intensely, avoids relying on pathos.
