ABOUT THE FILM

This film will document the stories of three groups of women located in Hawaii, Portugal, and the Yucatan as they work to conserve wild honeybees. The film will showcase their individual journeys, scientific research, and the spiritual connection they share with the bees across cultures. Through taking a unique scientific approach that allows space for relationship, these women have been able to gather valuable holistic insight into how bees really live (and thrive) in the wild. In a time where honeybees are still dying at alarming rates, this critical information on how to support their health is deeply valuable.

MEET THE WOMEN 

Big Island, Hawaii

Alison Yahna embodies resilience in the face of adversity. With over two decades of experience rescuing and studying wild honeybee colonies on the Big Island, she confronts the alarming decline of bees due to introduced pathogens and widespread pesticide use. Rejecting conventional methods, Alison adopts a Darwinian approach, allowing bees to evolve resistance naturally. Despite initial setbacks and criticism, her apiary now thrives with resilient bees, free from chemical treatments. By preserving these wild honeybees, Alison has become a custodian of valuable genetic diversity, shielding them from the threats of modern industrial practices. However, the encroachment of development as well as the Queen Bee Breeding industry poses a looming threat to her sanctuary, underscoring the urgency of preserving wild spaces. Furthermore, we delve into Alison's budding collaboration with Priscilla Basque, a native Hawaiian beekeeper embroiled in a relentless battle with the Department of Agriculture over illicit pesticide usage in the coffee orchards adjacent to her hives.

Alentejo, Portugal

In the Alentejo valley of Portugal, the BeeWisdom Network, comprising Annelieke Van der Sluijs, Sandira Belia, Ulrike Krampen, and others, embarks on a quest to understand the essence of wild honeybees. Amidst challenges like desertification and monoculture farming, these women maintain an outlook of boundless joy and curiosity. Their meditative approach to beekeeping not only enriches their understanding but also fosters a deeper connection with nature. Through innovative hive designs crafted from cork and efforts to restore landscape diversity, they strive to create symbiotic relationships with their bees. Living off-grid and attuned to the rhythms of the natural world, they offer a glimpse into an alternative lifestyle rooted in harmony with the Earth. 

Yucatán, Mexico

For our last location we hope to continue our filming in the Yucatán, where indigenous Mayan women honor their cultural heritage by safeguarding stingless Melipona bees. Despite their spiritual significance and historical reverence, these bees face existential threats from deforestation and habitat loss. Formerly tended to by male shamans, the conservation efforts are now led by women who recognize the intrinsic value of preserving this ancient tradition. By documenting their endeavors, the film sheds light on the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, emphasizing the imperative of protecting indigenous knowledge and biodiversity. 

Through the intersecting narratives of these women, the film underscores the pressing need to adopt sustainable practices and nurture symbiotic relationships with nature to ensure the survival of wild honeybees and the ecosystems they sustain.