“Bem, Un Lémur En Fuga” tells the story of Isabel, a girl allergic to everything, so she lives confined at home. Her life changes when a small lemur illegally brought to Mexico from Madagascar escapes the market and sneaks into her room.

Working on “Bem, Un Lémur En Fuga” was such a treat. I got to incorporate a fun mix of African and Mexican traditional elements to spice up the orchestral score. It’s incredibly rewarding to get to honour cultures with such a rich musical tradition.

One of the beautiful things about this movie is how alive and realistic Mexico City is portrayed. If you’ve ever spent time there, you’ll be able to recognize the sights, sounds and flavors of the city. We had to make sure that the music was also a character that helped immerse ourselves in this environment.

I’ve always loved coming-of-age stories, and I think this movie does a tremendous job showcasing the joy and pain of new friendships and sometimes having to let them go. Getting to score that journey alongside Irene and Bem was such a gratifying experience.

I grew up primarily as a guitar player. Whilst studying in London, I remember getting introduced to the music of Jimmy Dludlu and being blown away! There are a couple tracks on this score that are certainly influenced by him.– Kevin Smithers, composer