World Premiering at San Sebastián, Igor Legarreta Describes His Third Film ‘The Blind Ants’ as a Coastal Western Set in the Basque Country

The latest work from Spanish‑Basque filmmaker Igor Legarreta debuted at the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival on 18 September, opening the Zinemira section that showcases regional productions. Titled “The Blind Ants” (Inurri Itsuak) and billed as a coastal western, the film marks Legarraeta’s third feature after the critically noted “All the Moons” and “When You Stop Loving Me”. It joins a slate of new releases competing for the festival’s Irizar Award, which recognises excellence in Basque cinema..

Organisers said the film’s inclusion reflects a growing appetite for genre‑blending stories rooted in local culture.Set against the stark cliffs and windswept beaches of the Basque coastline, “The Blind Ants” follows a small community of fishermen and smugglers whose lives intersect with a lone drifter, played by newcomer Aitor Larrañaga. The narrative, described by the director as “a western without horses, where the sea replaces the desert”, uses the region’s rugged terrain to evoke classic frontier motifs while embedding them in contemporary social realities. The screenplay, co‑written with longtime collaborator Maite Zuloaga, weaves themes of loyalty, exile and the lingering effects of Spain’s recent history into a plot that unfolds over a single, rain‑laden weekend.Legarreta’s decision to frame the story as a western stems from his fascination with the genre’s moral clarity and its capacity for visual storytelling..

In a press conference at the festival, he explained that the Basque coast offers a natural parallel to the American frontier: “The cliffs are our mesas, the tide is our wind‑blown prairie. The law here is not the sheriff’s badge but the rhythm of the sea and the unspoken codes of the people who live by it.” He added that the title alludes to an old Basque proverb about unseen dangers, suggesting that the characters’ greatest threats are not external but internal.The film’s visual language bears the imprint of cinematographer Amaia Gabilondo, whose work captures both the luminous glare of sunrise over the Atlantic and the muted shadows of fog‑shrouded harbours. Production designer Iker Etxebarria reconstructed a 1970s fishing village using a combination of on‑location shooting in Getaria and carefully built sets that blend authenticity with stylised design..

The result is a tableau that feels both historically grounded and mythic, a balance the director says was essential to achieving the western tone without resorting to pastiche.Music also plays a pivotal role, with a score composed by experimental musician Koldo Arrieta that melds traditional Basque instruments such as the txalaparta with electric guitars and ambient drones. The soundtrack underscores the film’s emotional beats while reinforcing its hybrid genre identity. In an interview, Arrieta noted that the music had to “feel like a dirge for a lost era, yet pulse with the urgency of a chase scene,” reflecting the director’s vision of a western that is simultaneously nostalgic and immediate.“The Blind Ants” was produced by a consortium of regional entities, including the Basque Audiovisual Council and the film company Iruña Media, with additional financing from the Spanish Institute of Cinematic Arts..

The budget, while modest by international standards, allowed for a crew of over fifty local technicians, many of whom have previously worked on television series and documentary projects. The collaborative nature of the production underscores a broader trend in the Basque film industry, which has increasingly leveraged public funds to nurture talent and promote stories that resonate beyond regional borders.Critical response at the festival has been cautiously optimistic. Early reviews praise the film’s atmospheric cinematography and the nuanced performance of Larrañaga, who portrays the drifter with a stoic intensity reminiscent of classic western anti‑heroes..

Some critics, however, note that the pacing occasionally lags, particularly in the second act where the narrative’s introspective moments risk diluting the tension inherent to the genre. Nevertheless, the consensus acknowledges Legarreta’s ambition in attempting to fuse a well‑trodden cinematic form with a distinctly Basque sensibility.The film’s competition for the Irizar Award places it alongside a diverse field of entries ranging from documentary explorations of Basque culinary traditions to experimental dramas examining urban alienation. The Irizar Award, named after pioneering Basque filmmaker José Irizar, carries a cash prize intended to support the development of future projects..

Organisers hope that the award will encourage filmmakers to continue pushing the boundaries of regional storytelling, as exemplified by Legarreta’s hybrid approach.Beyond the festival circuit, “The Blind Ants” is slated for a limited theatrical release across Spain later this year, with plans for wider distribution in European art‑house venues. International sales agent EurAsia Films has already secured pre‑sale agreements for territories including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, indicating a growing appetite for cinema that blends local specificity with universally recognisable genre conventions. Legarreta expressed confidence that the film’s themes of displacement and community will resonate with audiences worldwide, particularly in an era marked by migration and ecological uncertainty.As the 2024 San Sebastián International Film Festival draws to a close, “The Blind Ants” stands out as a testament to the evolving identity of Basque cinema..

By reimagining the western within a coastal, post‑industrial landscape, Igor Legarreta has crafted a work that is at once homage and innovation. Whether the film ultimately secures the Irizar Award or not, its presence in the festival’s lineup signals a willingness among regional creators to experiment with form while remaining anchored in their cultural heritage. The final verdict will be rendered in the coming weeks, but for now the film has already sparked conversations about the possibilities inherent in marrying genre conventions with the unique textures of the Basque Country..