Basque Director Igor Legarreta Unveils Storm-Set Survival Drama at San Sebastián
Igor Legarreta's third feature, 'The Blind Ants,' premiered at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 18, competing for the Irizar Award for Basque Cinema. Based on Ramiro Pinilla's novel, the 1930s-set story follows a Basque family risking a storm to salvage coal from a stranded English ship. The film, produced by Lazona Zinema, will hit Spanish theaters on October 9 via Buena Vista International Spain.
The production brings together a substantial Basque and international partnership, with Lamia Producciones, Lazona Zinema, Buendía Estudios Bizkaia, and Sideral Cinema among the backers, alongside Belgian co-producer Caviar Antwerp. Playtime handles worldwide sales while Buena Vista International Spain manages the domestic theatrical release on October 9. The cast features several prominent Spanish performers, including Goya winner Urko Olazábal and Itziar Ituño, widely recognized for her role in "Money Heist."
Director Legarreta describes the project as a "coastal Western," drawing on the novel's affection for early twentieth-century American fiction. The story centers on the Jauregui family's perilous decision to brave a violent storm and salvage coal from a stranded English vessel off the Biscay shore, a choice that yields tragic consequences. The film competes for the Irizar Award for Basque Cinema within the festival's Zinemira section.
This premiere could strengthen the international visibility of Basque-language cinema, a niche that rarely reaches global audiences. The combination of a prestigious festival platform, an established novel source, and recognizable Spanish cast members may draw arthouse distributors and festival programmers beyond Spain. For local Basque viewers, the film could reinforce cultural pride and regional storytelling traditions, while its October theatrical release may benefit from festival buzz. However, its period setting and regional specificity could limit broader commercial appeal, making its international trajectory dependent on critical reception and word-of-mouth.