As Bestas tells the story of a French couple, Antoine and Olga, who move to a remote village in Galicia, Spain, dreaming of living in harmony with nature and starting an agritourism business. Their presence, however, sparks mistrust among the locals, particularly brothers Xan and Lorenzo, local farmers who see the newcomers as an obstacle to their economic interests. Conflict erupts when the couple opposes the installation of wind turbines in the area, believing they would damage the landscape. From that moment, tensions escalate, escalating into a crescendo of threats, intimidation, and violence. The film, inspired by true events, powerfully explores the themes of cultural clash, fear of others, and the brutality that can emerge from forced coexistence.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen, born in Madrid in 1981, is one of the most acclaimed directors and screenwriters of contemporary Spanish cinema. After training at ECAM (Madrid School of Cinematography and Audiovisual), he made his feature film debut with Stockholm (2013), winning numerous awards and attracting critical attention. His style is distinguished by narrative tension, stark realism, and profound analysis of social and moral conflicts. With films such as El Reino (2018), a political thriller, and Madre (2019), he has consolidated his international reputation. In 2022, he directed As Bestas, inspired by true events, a rural drama that explores xenophobia and the latent violence in isolated communities. Sorogoyen is known for his ability to create tense and engaging atmospheres, often in collaboration with screenwriter Isabel Peña. His cinema is a lucid and restless investigation of the human soul and the dynamics of power.
