From Paraguay to the World: Paraguayan Filmmaker Belén Gallardo Brings Guaraní, Motherhood and the Immigrant Experience to the Screen
Written by Nia Bowers
What do we choose to carry with us when we leave home?
For Paraguayan filmmaker Belén Gallardo, the answer is found in the quiet moments between a mother and her child—moments that often seem ordinary until they become cherished memories.Written, directed and produced by Gallardo, Just Drink Your Milk (2026) is an intimate bilingual short film presented in Spanish and Guaraní, inspired by her journey as a Paraguayan living abroad and by the universal desire to preserve the language, traditions and love that shape a family’s identity across generations.
At its heart, the film is a reflection on childhood and the fleeting beauty of everyday life. It reminds audiences that the simplest moments—a shared meal, a conversation, a familiar voice or a mother’s embrace—often become the memories we treasure most.
For Gallardo, the story is deeply personal.
“One day my daughter will grow up, and the little moments we share today will only live in our memories. This film is my way of holding on to them a little longer. It is also my way of making sure she always remembers where she comes from. Even if life takes her far from Paraguay, I hope she will always recognize the sound of Guaraní and remember that someone once called her ‘Che memby’ with all the love in the world.”
“Che memby,” meaning “my child” in Guaraní, is more than a translation. It is an expression of unconditional love, belonging and identity—a reminder that language carries the emotional legacy we pass from one generation to the next.
Having lived in Paraguay, Tanzania and Italy, Gallardo understands that migration is about much more than crossing borders. It is about carrying memories, culture and language into a new life while finding meaningful ways to pass them on.
Although deeply rooted in Paraguay through its language and emotional landscape, Just Drink Your Milk was filmed in Italy, the country where Gallardo’s daughter was born. The setting reflects the film’s central message: that home is not defined solely by geography, but by the memories, language and love we carry with us—and pass on to the next generation.
The inclusion of Guaraní, one of Paraguay’s official languages, lies at the emotional heart of the film. Through its sounds and expressions, Just Drink Your Milk pays tribute to Paraguay’s rich cultural heritage while introducing international audiences to one of South America’s most enduring Indigenous languages.
Before making her directorial debut, Gallardo represented Paraguay in national and international modeling competitions before earning a degree in Journalism and Communication. She later founded Twiga Social Agency, published her first book, With Love, Maria: Powerful Affirmations for Your Heart, Mind and Soul (2025), and now expands her passion for storytelling through independent cinema.
The film stars Belén Gallardo alongside her daughter Aria Pullini, whose screen debut brings an authentic mother-daughter connection to the story.
More than a film about motherhood, Just Drink Your Milk is a reflection on identity, migration and the universal desire to preserve the voices, languages and memories that define who we are.
Ultimately, it is a story for every family that has crossed borders while striving to keep its language, traditions and identity alive for the next generation.
The film is currently being submitted to international film festivals.
Watch the Official Trailer
The official trailer for Just Drink Your Milk is now available.
https://vimeo.com/1205774772
For updates on festival selections, future screenings and worldwide release information, please visit:
IMDb: Just Drink Your Milk (2026)
