20,000 Species of Bees

Warmly humanist and deeply empathetic first feature… announcing the arrival of a bold new filmmaking voice.

The film blooms in moments where, instead of literally addressing Coco's gender trouble, we’re simply allowed to inhabit it.

Despite its limitations, 20,000 Species of Bees is crafted from a place of empathy so often lacking in conversations about trans childhood.

With this gentle, empathic picture, Urresola joins a conversation that usually plays out as a screaming match, and tones it down to a murmur.

20,000 Species of Bees is a touching, beautiful and sensitive film with the potential of making a significant dent in the current hateful discourse from some quarters about transgender children – if only they had it in their heart to watch it.

While there is much to be compelled by narratively, formally the film offers less intrigue.

20000 Species of Bees [...] was a delicate reminder of those who do accept us and open the door. Even if just a crack. Those people are there and they change lives.

[A] willingness to look at delicate matters in totality, combined with a spectacular cast of performers all given highly detailed characters to work with, makes 20,000 Species of Bees an exceptional family drama.


It conveys the calm and warmth of summer holidays, and uses said context to develop a complex narrative, which manages to put us in the shoes of a girl who tries to communicate to her family that she does not feel like what she is. Full review in Spanish.

By showing this as a process of growth, albeit one fraught with emotional obstacles, Urresolo Sologuren adds something new to the discourse, while young Otero’s entrancing debut holds the attention even without major dramatic quakes.