Cocó (Sofïa Otero) is a female-presenting kid just trying to live her life. In Spanish filmmaker Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren's exquisite directorial debut, the eight-year-old and her mother, Ane (Patricia López Arnaiz), and two siblings leave Bayonne in France to stay with their grandmother, Lita (Itziar Lazkano), in Basque country where Ane has access to beeswax for a potential project. Their father, Gorka (Mart Xelorubio), doesn't come with them.
Ane tolerates Cocó’s gender expression, but doesn't understand that she sees herself as a girl--her birth name is Aitor--and nor does Cocó recognize that she's transgender, since she isn't familiar with the concept, but when a family friend talks to her, in general terms, about faith and conviction, she starts to put the pieces together, because her instincts tell her she’s a girl.
For the time being, she just knows that she doesn't want to get a boy's haircut, use men's restrooms and changing rooms, or swim at the public pool--though she takes advantage of private spaces. She would rather help her patient, attentive, and rather poetic great aunt, Lourdes (Ane Gabarain), with the beekeeping, a family tradition going back generations. Lourdes is the least judgmental of all, and as they spend more time together, she starts to understand what’s going on, even if no one else does.
In all other respects, Cocó is just a regular kid. She enjoys playing with Niko (Julene Puente Nafarrate), a neighbor who doesn’t care if she’s a boy or a girl, but she's so preoccupied that she doesn’t realize her mother is also struggling. With her marriage faltering, Ane returns to art-making (like her father before her), applies for a teaching job, and considers a return to Spain. Lita spends more time judging her than providing support, but if every character is flawed in some way, there are no true villains.
When Lita tells Cocó about Saint Lucía, she realizes that she has found a kindred spirit--and a name that finally makes sense to her. That unambiguously feminine name will take on even greater significance when she goes missing during a family gathering.
At the Berlin International Film Festival in 2023, nine-year-old Sofía Otero became the youngest ever winner of the Silver Bear for best actress, and she's always convincing, no matter the situation. Strong support really helps the first-time feature performer to shine, and Patricia López Arnaiz and Ane Gabarain could not be better as the adults who make space for Lucía.
All told, 20,000 Species of Bees has been the recipient of over three dozen awards, including three Goyas, the Spanish equivalent of the Oscars, a testament to the sensitivity and skill Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren brought to this touching narrative.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
20,000 Species of Bees would be a valuable addition to multiple curated film collections in both academic and public libraries. Its multilingual presentation (in Spanish, Basque, and French) and deeply personal narrative make it an essential title for International Film collections, especially those focusing on European cinema. The film also belongs in Spanish Language Cinema collections, particularly ones that highlight contemporary voices and underrepresented communities. Given its sensitive and nuanced portrayal of a transgender child’s experience, it is especially well-suited for LGBTQ+ Film Collections, providing an empathetic and age-appropriate perspective that can foster understanding across a wide age range.
What kind of film series would this narrative fit in?
Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s debut feature would be a strong inclusion in film series that focus on Contemporary Spanish Cinema, offering a window into regional storytelling with global resonance. It would also pair well in a LGBTQ+ Cinema series, particularly one that explores gender identity through the lens of childhood and family dynamics. Additionally, the film's intersection of identity, community, and cultural specificity makes it suitable for thematic series on Coming-of-Age Narratives, Gender and Society, or Films by Women Directors.
What type of library programming could use this title?
20,000 Species of Bees would be an impactful title for library programming focused on transgender and nonbinary narratives, especially those that aim to represent a broad spectrum of cultural and generational experiences. The film’s accessibility through English subtitles and its emotionally rich but gentle storytelling make it suitable for viewers from middle school age and up. It could be featured in Pride Month programming, International Film Nights, or Family and Identity-themed discussions, offering space for conversation around gender, belonging, and acceptance in different cultural contexts.
What is the pricing for institutional acquisition?
The film is available in multiple languages with English subtitles. The Pre-Street institutional price is $350, while the Post-Street price is $200, making it a worthwhile investment for libraries seeking to expand their collections of inclusive, international, and critically acclaimed cinema.