Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s As Bestas (2022) is an atmospheric and tense exploration of isolation, belonging, and conflict, set against the rugged backdrop of rural Galicia, Spain. The film follows Antoine and Olga, a French couple who move to a depopulated village to pursue their dream of organic farming. However, their presence soon ignites deep-seated tensions with the local farmers, Xan and Lorenzo, leading to a dangerous confrontation. Through its masterful use of geography, language, and the theme of depopulation, As Bestas paints a complex portrait of a community grappling with its shrinking future and the arrival of outsiders.

Geographical Context: Rural Galicia as a Character

The rugged, remote landscapes of Galicia are not just a backdrop in As Bestas—they actively shape the film’s narrative. The film is set in a village that feels isolated, abandoned, and deeply connected to its physical environment. The mountains, dense forests, and winding roads create a sense of enclosure, intensifying the psychological tension between the characters.

The geography of the region mirrors the emotional and cultural isolation felt by the characters, particularly the locals who see their world shrinking due to depopulation. The land in Galicia has historically been tied to identity and survival, and in As Bestas, it becomes a battleground for control, belonging, and the future.

Depopulation: A Dying Way of Life

Depopulation is a central theme that defines the village’s sense of fragility and desperation. Like many rural regions in Spain, Galicia has experienced a significant loss of population, with younger generations leaving for cities and more prosperous regions. This exodus leaves behind older residents struggling to maintain their way of life. In As Bestas, this reality permeates the interactions between the characters, particularly the tension between the local farmers and the French couple.

The villagers’ attachment to the land is not merely economic; it is deeply emotional and cultural. For Xan and Lorenzo, the shrinking population represents the gradual erosion of their identity and their community’s way of life. The potential wind turbine project—one of the few economic opportunities available—becomes a symbol of this desperation. The local farmers view it as a lifeline, while Antoine, with his idealistic vision of sustainable farming, opposes it, seeing it as exploitation. This clash is more than a disagreement over land use; it is a reflection of the larger struggle to hold on to a disappearing world in the face of modern pressures.

The village’s dwindling population also amplifies the tension between locals and outsiders. In a community where each resident plays a vital role, the arrival of newcomers like Antoine and Olga is seen as a potential threat to the already fragile balance. The economic pressures brought on by depopulation create an atmosphere of territoriality and suspicion, as the remaining villagers become fiercely protective of their land and way of life.

Language: A Barrier and a Tool of Conflict

In As Bestas, the multilingualism of the characters—Spanish, Galician, and French—plays a significant role in shaping the film’s narrative and tension. Language acts as both a bridge and a barrier between the French couple and the local villagers. Antoine and Olga’s reliance on Spanish to communicate, while functional, marks them as outsiders in a community where Galician is the dominant language. Galician, more than just a language, is a marker of local identity and cultural continuity, and its use among the locals reinforces the couple’s sense of otherness.

The linguistic divide becomes even more pronounced in moments of conflict. Xan and Lorenzo often speak in Galician, particularly when tensions rise, as a way to assert their dominance and control over the conversation. For Antoine and Olga, this creates a sense of vulnerability, as they are unable to fully grasp the nuances and subtexts of the local language. Even though Antoine speaks Spanish, his accent and occasional struggles with fluency reinforce the divide between him and the locals, adding another layer of isolation.

This linguistic tension reflects the larger theme of miscommunication in the film. Language is not just a practical tool for dialogue but a symbol of deeper cultural and emotional divides. Antoine and Olga, despite their efforts to integrate into the community, are unable to fully understand or be understood by the villagers, and this lack of connection ultimately drives the story towards its tragic conclusion.

Isolation: Physical, Emotional, and Cultural

The isolation in As Bestas is both geographical and psychological. The village’s remote location, surrounded by mountains and forests, creates a physical barrier between the characters and the outside world. This physical isolation is mirrored in the emotional distance between the locals and the outsiders. For Antoine and Olga, the isolation is not just about geography; it is about their inability to break into the social and cultural world of the village. Despite their best intentions, they remain outsiders in a place where everyone else is deeply connected to the land and each other.

For the locals, this isolation is a source of both pride and pain. Xan and Lorenzo are fiercely protective of their territory, but they are also painfully aware of the village’s shrinking future. The isolation breeds a sense of defensiveness, as the villagers become increasingly wary of anything that threatens their control over their land and their way of life.

Conflict: Modernity vs. Tradition

At the heart of As Bestas is the conflict between modernity and tradition. Antoine and Olga represent a forward-looking vision of rural life, with their emphasis on sustainable farming and eco-tourism. However, this vision clashes with the villagers’ need for economic survival. The wind turbine project, seen by the locals as a necessary step towards securing their future, becomes the catalyst for the conflict.

This tension between modernity and tradition is not only economic but also cultural. Antoine and Olga’s idealism feels out of place in a community that is struggling with the realities of rural decline. The film suggests that even well-meaning efforts to “improve” a place can be seen as invasive when they come from outsiders who do not fully understand the local dynamics.

Conclusion: Geography, Language, and Depopulation as Catalysts for Tension

As Bestas is a powerful exploration of how geography, language, and depopulation shape human conflict and relationships. The remote landscapes of Galicia are not just a setting but a force that drives the characters’ actions and emotions. Depopulation, with its accompanying economic and social decline, creates a heightened sense of territoriality and fear, while the language barrier deepens the divide between the locals and the outsiders.

Through its rich portrayal of these themes, As Bestas offers a haunting look at the fragility of rural life in the face of modern pressures. The film’s tense, slow-burning narrative reveals the complexities of community, belonging, and the struggle to hold on to a way of life that is rapidly disappearing. In the end, As Bestas is not just a story of interpersonal conflict, but a meditation on the larger forces—geography, language, and depopulation—that shape the human experience in isolated, shrinking communities.