Igor Legarreta’s ‘The Blind Ants’ Premieres at San Sebastián as a Basque Coastal Western

The third feature film by director Igor Legarreta, titled “The Blind Ants” (“Inurri Itsuak”), held its world premiere on September 18 at the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival. Screened as part of the Zinemira section, which highlights Basque productions, the movie is currently competing for the Irizar Award for Basque Cinema. Following its festival run, the film is scheduled for release in Spanish theaters on October 9 under the distribution wing of Buena Vista International Spain.

Set against the backdrop of the Basque Country in 1930, the narrative follows an English vessel that runs aground off the coast of Biscay during a fierce storm. With the ship holding tons of valuable coal, residents of Algorta race to salvage the fuel to endure the coming winter. The Jauregui family chooses to brave the relentless weather to secure some of the “black gold,” a decision that ultimately brings about tragic consequences and alters their lives forever.

Luis Ferrón, a producer with Lazona Zinema, emphasized the project’s commitment to local talent and high artistic standards. “We launched a production company in the Basque Country with a clear vision: to combine our strengths with local talent to create films that are artistically ambitious and uncompromising in their production values,” Ferrón told Variety. He noted that partnering with Playtime for international sales and Buena Vista for Spanish distribution would maximize the film’s reach.

Legarreta described the production as a “coastal Western,” a genre he felt matched the story’s tone. The film was shot entirely in Bizkaia, with the crew aiming to preserve the authentic maritime atmosphere of the region. The project was a collaborative effort involving several Basque production houses, including Lamia Producciones, Lazona Zinema, and Bruja del Norte AIE, alongside Belgian co-producer Caviar Antwerp.

In an interview preceding the premiere, Legarreta discussed the challenges of adapting Ramiro Pinilla’s novel. He acknowledged the difficulty of translating a literary universe to cinema but highlighted Pinilla’s evident affection for early 20th-century American fiction. “The film aims not to betray that love, and I truly believe that there are not many films with the character and visual strength of ‘Blind Ants,'” the director said.

Legarreta also spoke about his long-standing collaboration with actress Itziar Ituño, with whom he previously worked on “All the Moons.” Having known each other since their university short film days, Legarreta praised her generosity and ability to connect with real emotions. The film also features Urko Olazábal, Josean Bengoetxea, Miren Gaztañaga, and Carlos Santos in key roles.

Addressing the technical difficulties of production, Legarreta revealed that half the source novel takes place during a stormy night on a cliff. To ensure actor safety and maintain creative control, the team constructed a massive set. Production design by Mikel Serrano was central to overcoming these hurdles, allowing the crew to simulate the harsh coastal environment effectively.