Sara Flores Paints What the World Stands to Lose

A vibrant canoe glides across the screen, accompanied by the constant buzz of insects. A frail woman expertly strips bark from a tree, then proceeds to boil it, a tiny tamarin monkey perched on her head. With a blade dipped into a bowl of tree juice, she creates a series of geometric shapes, her age-stained nails and steady grip on display.

Directed by Èlia Gasull Balada and Matteo Norzi, the documentary "The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs" (2026) chronicles the meteoric rise of artist Sara Flores, who will represent Peru at the current Venice Biennale. The film premieres at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival on October 19 and makes its U.S. debut as the opening night selection at DOC NYC on November 11, streaming online from November 12-29.

The film begins with a deep dive into the Amazon rainforest, followed by a glimpse of Flores smiling with a flute of champagne in hand during a first-class flight to New York. At her exhibition at the now-defunct Clearing gallery on the Bowery, she exudes confidence in a crimson blouse, admiring the attention from admirers. Later, in Central Park, she feeds pigeons while observing a man offering acorns to squirrels.