His portrayal of the antagonistic farmer is terrifyingly effective. He embodies the internalized frustration of a forgotten community, turning his anger outward toward those he blames for his diminished life.
: The story is inspired by real events and explores the tension between a French couple and local residents in a Galician village over a wind farm project. The title refers to the traditional Galician festival Rapa das Bestas eCartelera PDF of the entire screenplay for educational purposes?
, who won the Goya Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role, is terrifyingly brilliant as Xan. Zahera imbues the antagonist with a terrifying mixture of calculating intelligence, dark humor, and deep-seated, righteous resentment.
At its core, As Bestas is a critique of "green colonialism" and the gap between urban idealism and rural necessity. Antoine and Olga see the village as a project; Xan and Lorenzo see it as a tomb. Sorogoyen doesn't paint the locals as simple monsters; he illustrates how poverty and lack of opportunity can turn neighbors into "beasts." Critical Reception and Awards
What begins as passive-aggressive hostility at the local tavern quickly escalates into a campaign of terror. Xan and Lorenzo sabotage the French couple's water supply, poison their crops, and subject Antoine to relentless psychological and physical intimidation. Themes: The Mechanics of Conflict 1. The Clash of Idealism and Survival as bestas rodrigo sorogoyen
As Bestas is not a comfortable watch. It is a necessary one. It holds a mirror to the rural-urban divide and asks us to see the beast within our own reflection. In an age of polarization, Sorogoyen suggests that the most dangerous animal is not the wolf in the woods—it is the human being backed into a corner with no way out but through.
| Character | Role | Moral ambiguity | |-----------|------|----------------| | Antoine (Denis Ménochet) | Idealist, stubborn | Naïve but sympathetic | | Olga (Marina Foïs) | Pragmatic survivor | Clear-eyed, determined | | Xan (Luis Zahera) | Aggressive, charismatic leader | Violent but also victim of abandonment (wife left, only land remains) | | Lorenzo (Diego Anido) | The mute enforcer | Tragic figure – softer, trapped by brotherly loyalty |
Ultimately, "As Bestas" leaves you not with a sense of catharsis but with a haunting question that lingers long after the credits roll: When the line between man and beast blurs, and when the forces of the modern world push people to the edge, who is truly the monster? It is an essential, unforgettable, and deeply troubling work of art that confirms Sorogoyen as one of the most vital voices in European cinema.
As Bestas cannot be separated from the socio-political reality of "La España Vacía" (Empty Spain). For decades, Spanish political and economic life has centered on Madrid and Barcelona, leaving rural provinces—especially Galicia, Aragon, and Castile—to depopulate and decay. His portrayal of the antagonistic farmer is terrifyingly
The success of As Bestas relies heavily on its exceptional casting. Denis Ménochet delivers a powerhouse performance as Antoine, portraying a physically imposing man who is simultaneously vulnerable, terrified, and dangerously stubborn.
But the true beast was not the mountain. It was the slow, grinding erosion of the human heart.
The narrative follows Antoine (Denis Ménochet) and Olga (Marina Foïs), an educated French couple who have relocated to a semi-abandoned, decaying village in the mountains of Galicia, Northwest Spain. They practice organic farming and dedicate their time to restoring abandoned stone houses to revitalize the local ecosystem and community.
Following the international acclaim of The Realm (2018) and Mother (2019), Sorogoyen pivots from political corruption and real-time grief to a stark, rural fable. What emerges is arguably his most mature, harrowing, and essential work—a film that won nine Goya Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. The title refers to the traditional Galician festival
The auditory landscape is equally deliberate. Olivier Arson’s haunting, percussion-heavy score mimics the rhythmic, primal pounding of a heartbeat or a distant march, signaling an impending doom that cannot be averted. Powerhouse Performances
She turns her back on the valley, walks inside, and locks the door. But the lock is for herself. Because the beast is not outside. It is in the memory of a single, unspeakable night when men became animals, and the mountain said nothing at all.
Sequência chave (exemplo detalhado — ~6 páginas no roteiro) Cena: A festa da padroeira — noite
Language and family trivia aside, The Beasts is a gripping rural thriller with a duration of 130 minutes that fly by very quickly.
The film dominated the 37th Goya Awards, winning nine categories , including Best Film, Best Director (Sorogoyen), and Best Actor (Ménochet).
Antoine stood, his flashlight trembling. “The turbines are dead. Go home.”