A tender coming-of-age set amongst a hot Basque summer.
In this gentle and deeply moving feature debut, Ane (the captivating Patricia López Arnaiz) embarks on a summer getaway with her three children, leaving behind the financial and marital struggles of her life in France. Seeking solace in her mother’s home in the Basque Country, Ane rediscovers her passion for art, amidst the celebrated work of her late father. As tensions rise between the matriarchs of the family, we are drawn into the world of Ane’s youngest child, Aitor (the remarkable Sofía Otero), who prefers to be called Cocó and feels more like a girl than a boy. Through Otero’s outstanding performance, we are transported into Cocó’s world, discovering the wonder of bees, the freedom of new friendships, and the struggle to be who she feels she truly is. As the youngest ever Silver Bear winner, Otero’s mesmerising portrayal draws the audience into a warm and embracing exploration of family, identity and self-discovery amid a languid Basque summer.
“A child’s gender identity crisis is mirrored by her mother’s crisis of identity as an artist in this warm, generously performed film.” (The Guardian)
“A compassionate coming of ager…both timely and timeless.” (The Hollywood Reporter)