Hot Milk

In the sweltering Spanish seaside town of Almería, Rose and her daughter Sofia arrive on a quest to seek the unconventional medical expertise of Dr. Gomez. Rose, wheelchair-bound and struggling with an unnamed illness, has been presented with a faint glimmer of hope by this mystical physician's reputation, and as a result, has made the arduous journey to his clinic, leaving the comforts of home behind. Alongside Rose is Sofia, a young woman whose life has become inextricably entwined with her mother's illness. As they navigate the quaint, sun-kissed streets of Almería, Sofia appears an enigmatic figure, her presence radiating an aura of restraint and caution. Time stands still, frozen in the perpetual cycle of her mother's dependency, leaving Sofia's own life and desires suppressed and submerged beneath a well-crafted façade. The stifling weight of responsibility has effectively suffocated Sofia's innate creativity and her own sense of identity, forcing her into a life of isolation and self-subjugation. Upon arriving at Dr. Gomez's clinic, Rose and Sofia find themselves enveloped in the town's languid, Mediterranean atmosphere. Dr. Gomez, a charismatic physician with a deep understanding of both conventional and alternative medicine, proves an enigmatic figure, shrouded in mystery as his clinic's eclectic displays of symbolism and personal talismans reveal. His office is a cornucopia of unconventional remedies and artifacts, fueling Rose's optimism that he might possess the 'miracle cure' they so desperately seek. However, it soon becomes clear that Sofia's stay in Almería sets off a chain of unbridled exploration, driving her further away from her guarded persona. As nights stretch out, shimmering beneath the star-flecked sky, Sofia is captured by the ravishingly beautiful Ingrid, an itinerant expat captivated by the Spanish landscape, and conversely, drawn to the alluring mystery of Sofia herself. Guided by Ingrid, Sofia enters an enchanting, intoxicating world teeming with artistic freedom, enchanting riddles and passionate language that inspires her own creative spirit to burst forth. In their sun-drenched wanderings, Ingrid dispenses illuminating stories of the past and mystical ideologies, interwoven within intimate encounters on crumbling Mediterranean beaches. In turn, Sofia surrenders to the untold riches of her own experiences, unlocking memories she'd earlier buried deep. On one hand, she appears grateful for being freed from the immovable yoke of her mother's fate, yet there's a tangible recognition, like a profound quiet in her heart, signifying her awareness that her path is irrevocably intertwined with Rose's as they venture further into Dr. Gomez's unorthodox methodologies.