On the Invention of Species
(La INVENCIÓN de las ESPECIES)
Tania Hermida | Drama
2024 | 91 minutes | Ecuador
Grieving her brother’s death, 12-year-old Carla arrives in the Galápagos and reinvents herself as Isla, learning to adapt, heal, and find her voice.
If you are interested in DSL + PPR licenses contact us at .
Synopsis
Twelve-year-old Carla arrives in the Galápagos with her father, a biologist who studies the conservation of endangered species. Still grieving the death of her older brother, Carla has lost her ability to express herself through words. While her father attends a conference on species conservation and evolution, she begins to explore the island on her own, adopting a new identity: Isla.
Over seven days, Carla encounters Wiki, a boy her age, and Darwin, a local teenager, and together they venture into the landscapes and stories of the Galápagos. She also meets Harriet, a mysterious healer who understands the power of storytelling and words to help us make sense of the world. As Carla moves between friendship, imagination, science, and the natural environment around her, the islands become a space where she can confront her grief and begin to understand her own transformation.
Tania Hermida's lyrical coming-of-age film weaves together Darwin's theory of evolution, the biblical story of Genesis, and the storytelling traditions of "The Thousand and One Nights" to explore grief, identity, friendship, language, and the human capacity to adapt. Shot entirely on location in the Galápagos Islands, On the Invention of Species transforms the archipelago into both a living laboratory of evolution and a landscape for a young girl's journey toward healing.
Reviews
“In this stunningly lensed lyrical debut, Tania Hermida deftly toys with parables while exploring the evolving relationship between man and nature.” — Cinema Tropical.
“A poetic coming-of-age story about a girl who finds her voice and the purpose of living again.” — International Jury, Cineuropa.
“The decision to set the entire story in the magical atmosphere of the Galápagos Islands demonstrates Tania Hermida’s ability to make the pristine, wild nature of the island a fundamental component of the story.” — Festival del Cinema Ibero-Latino Americano di Trieste.
“Three books—Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’, the Bible, and ‘One Thousand and One Nights’—inspired Ecuadorian filmmaker Tania Hermida to create ‘The Invention of Species’, a film shot in the Galápagos Islands that reveals a more human side of an archipelago famous for its biodiversity.” — EFE
Citation
Coming soon.
Cataloging
A MARC record for this title is not available yet.
Pragda subjects
Environment + Sustainability
Family
Geography
Religion + Spirituality
South America
Women
Youth
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
San Francisco International Film Festival - Sloan Science on Screen Award Recipient; Havana Film Festival - Best Original Soundtrack; Chicago Latino Film Festival; Punta del Este International Film Festival - Audience Award, Best Feature; Pune International Film Festival; Cartagena International Film Festival; Havana Film Festival in New York; Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People - Best Film; Trieste Ibero-American Film Festival - Best Screenplay
DIRECTOR: Tania Hermida
NATIONALITY: Ecuador
YEAR: 2024
GENRE: Drama
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
Existing customers, please log in to view this film.
New to Pragda? Register to request a quote.
Related Films
Alba
Roads in February
Las rutas en febrero
Valentina or the Serenity
Valentina o la serenidad
Wandering Girl
Niña errante
Oliver and the Pool
Oliverio y la piscina
I Girl
Yo niña
A Bright Sun
Un sol radiant
Unicorn
Unicórnio
Cuernavaca
Related Collections
Literary Inspirations
A collection of films that celebrate the transformative influence of literature on both creators and readers.
Number of titles: 31
SEE COLLECTION >
The Arts
A fascinating journey into the creative process and the transformative power of artistic expression.
Number of titles: 180
SEE COLLECTION >
Spanish Language Films
A cinematic highlight of the magic and diversity of the Spanish language.
Number of titles: 659
SEE COLLECTION >
Middle School Collection
Given varying criteria for content ratings and age restrictions in different regions, Pragda STREAM recommends faculty watch films in their entirety before assigning them to students.
Number of titles: 329
SEE COLLECTION >
High School Collection
Given varying criteria for content ratings and age restrictions in different regions, Pragda STREAM recommends faculty watch films in their entirety before assigning them to students.
Number of titles: 709
SEE COLLECTION >
Childhood Chronicles
A collection that vividly captures the resilience, dreams, and struggles of youth growing up against the backdrop of the continent's complex landscapes and social realities.
Number of titles: 75
SEE COLLECTION >
Fiction Films
A compelling glimpse into Spain and Latin America's rich storytelling traditions, showcasing a blend of established directors and emerging voices. Each film highlights the depth and creativity of the region.
Number of titles: 305
SEE COLLECTION >