The Spirit of the Beehive

Ana, a six-year-old girl, lives in a secluded manor in a Spanish village on the Castilian plateau. The year is 1940, shortly after the Spanish Civil War has concluded, leaving deep emotional scars on her family.

Ana's father is deeply engrossed in his beekeeping while her mother, lost in fantasies, writes letters to a distant love. This emotional neglect shapes Ana's interactions with her older sister, Isabel, who takes on the role of her confidante.

While affectionate, Isabel often exploits Ana's innocence, encouraging her curiosity about the world. This dynamic sets the stage for Ana's exploration of her surroundings and her fascination with the unknown.

The arrival of a mobile cinema featuring *Frankenstein* captivates both Ana and Isabel. After watching the film, Ana is haunted by the scene of the monster accidentally drowning a girl, prompting complex feelings about good and evil.

Questioning the film's events, Ana seeks clarity from Isabel about the monster's actions and fate. Isabel reassures her, suggesting that movies are just illusions and that the monster could be a spirit she can communicate with.

Isabel leads Ana to an abandoned sheepfold, claiming it is the monster's home. Intrigued, Ana returns alone several times, deepening her obsession with the idea of communicating with the creature.

While exploring, Ana discovers a wounded Republican soldier hiding in the sheepfold. Instead of fleeing, she shows kindness, feeding him and providing her father's coat and watch, demonstrating her innate empathy.

One night, the Francoist police find the soldier, leading to his tragic death. The situation escalates as the police suspect Ana's father of aiding the fugitive, creating a looming tension over the family.

Ana's father realizes the dangerous implications of the situation when he discovers the items linked to the soldier, causing anxiety within the family. Ana, unaware of the full gravity, is left to grapple with her confused emotions.

Upon returning to the sheepfold, Ana is horrified to find bloodstains and no sign of the soldier. In a state of panic, she flees from her father, unable to process the unfolding tragedy.

Night falls as Ana's family and villagers initiate a frantic search for her. This chaotic effort echoes scenes from *Frankenstein*, highlighting the themes of fear and uncertainty that engulf the community.

Ana finds solace at a lake, kneeling as she visualizes the monster emerging from the trees beside her. This moment symbolizes her longing for connection amidst her trauma and an escape from her reality.

The next morning, Ana is found unharmed, but her mother is informed by the physician that Ana needs help to cope with her unexpressed trauma. The family attempts to reconnect, but Ana remains distant and isolated.

Instead of re-establishing her ties with family, Ana chooses to retreat into her own world. She stands alone by the window, silently summoning the spirit of the monster, staying true to Isabel's encouragement to reach out.