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20,000 Species Of Bees

Directed by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
2023
Spain
128 minutes
All Ages
Book Tickets
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A stirring coming-of-age story about a girl exploring her gender identity among a Basque beekeeping matriarchy, featuring an astonishing performance from the youngest Silver Bear winner in history.
Her birth name is Aitor, and she has the nickname Coco, but neither represent who she really is. Sofía Otero’s lead performance of a girl in search of her own name is masterfully portrayed against a backdrop of bickering mothers and aunties reflecting on their own past and the mistakes they have made. Beehives and gorgeous sun-soaked landscapes add to the film’s gentle tapestry evoking the importance of heritage, community, being nurtured and finding peace in yourself. Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s accomplished debut echoes the current wave of exceptional Spanish dramas, akin to last year’s Golden Bear winner Alcarràs (SFF 2022).
Otero’s performance in the lead is utterly winning… a subtle spectrum of emotions and body language cues from her, and it’s to Solaguren’s credit that these turns never feel forced or affected.
Guy Lodge, Variety
A child’s gender identity crisis is mirrored by her mother’s crisis of identity as an artist in this warm, generously performed film.
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Tickets

Sat 10 Jun
2:15pm
Hayden Orpheum Cremorne - Cinema 5
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Book Tickets Cancel
Mon 12 Jun
6:20pm
Palace Central Cinemas - Cinema 1
Selling Fast
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Book Tickets Cancel
Sun 18 Jun
5pm
Palace Norton Street - Cinema 3
Sold Out
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Sold Out Cancel
Program Strand
Features
Original Title
20.000 Especies de Abjeas
Year
2023
Classification
All Ages
Country
Spain
Language
In Spanish, Basque and French with English subtitles
Director
Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
Producer
Lara Izagirre Garizurieta, Valérie Delpierre
Cast
Sofía Otero, Patricia López Arnaiz, Ane Gabarain
Screenwriter
Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
Cinematographer
Gina Ferrer García
Editor
Raúl Barreras
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Genre
Festival Award Winners, LGBTQIA+ Films, Family, Women Directors, Focus on Women, Gender & Sexuality
Company Credits
Sales Agent: Luxbox Films
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