Educational Media Reviews Online

Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s 20,000 Species of Bees is a gentle, evocative exploration of identity, family, and the delicate process of self-discovery. The film centers on an eight-year-old child, Lucía (Sofía Otero), who is grappling with gender identity, while spending a summer with her family in the Basque Country. It is an intimate portrait of the emotional weight carried by both Lucía and her family as they navigate questions of acceptance and belonging.

What stands out most in 20,000 Species of Bees is its tenderness and authenticity. Solaguren captures the natural rhythms of rural life and childhood with an almost tactile sensitivity. The lush Basque landscape and the bees—both real and metaphorical—create a rich backdrop that mirrors the complexity of the human experience. In one particularly poetic strand of the film, the bees function as a metaphor for the communal yet solitary journey that Lucía undertakes, searching for a sense of self among the different expectations of those around her.

The strength of the film lies in its restrained approach. Rather than resorting to dramatic confrontations or didactic dialogue, 20,000 Species of Bees unfolds slowly, allowing moments of quiet reflection to take center stage. Lucía’s mother, Ane (Patricia López Arnaiz), grapples with her own evolving understanding of her child, offering a parallel narrative of transformation and acceptance. The juxtaposition of these two arcs forms the emotional core of the film.

Visually, the film is stunning. Cinematographer Gina Ferrer García captures the natural world in a way that feels as alive as the characters themselves. The film’s use of light and shadow—particularly in the outdoor scenes—is both breathtaking and symbolic, underscoring Lucía's emotional state as she moves between moments of clarity and confusion. The close-up shots of bees, their meticulous movements and instinctual work, serve as a visual metaphor for the process of self-definition that Lucía is undergoing.

Despite its strengths, 20,000 Species of Bees is not without its challenges. The film’s subtlety, while a virtue, can sometimes feel emotionally muted. There are moments where the film seems to tiptoe around deeper emotional confrontations, opting for a more restrained approach that may leave some viewers craving a cathartic release. Additionally, while Lucía’s relationship with her mother is beautifully explored, other familial relationships—such as with her siblings—are not given the same depth of attention, which could have enriched the film’s portrait of family dynamics.

Nevertheless, 20,000 Species of Bees is a quietly powerful film that resonates on multiple levels. Its exploration of gender identity is handled with nuance and grace, avoiding clichés or heavy-handed messaging. Instead, it offers a contemplative look at the ways in which children and parents alike navigate the complexities of identity in a world that often demands conformity. The film’s emotional resonance lies not in grand declarations, but in its small, tender moments of connection, understanding, and love.

Awards:
Berlin International Film Festival, Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance (Sofia Otero); Seattle International Film Festival, Official Competition Grand Jury Prize; Athens International Film Festival, Best Director (Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren); Guild Film Prize, Berlin Int'l. Film Festival; Best New Director, Goya Film Awards; Best Supporting Actress, Goya Film Awards; Best Narrative Feature, Hamptons Int'l. Film Festival; Golden Biznaga, Málaga Spanish Film Festival; Silver Biznaga, Best Supporting Actress, Málaga Spanish Film Festival; Feroz Puerta Oscura Award, Best Film, Málaga Spanish Film Festival; Jury Award for Outstanding First Feature, Frameline LGBTQ+ Film Festival; Special Jury Mention, Ibero-American Competition, Palm Springs International Film Festival; Best Actress, International, Hong Kong Int'l. Film Festival

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