Minding the Hive



16mm film + HDV, 27 min, 2008
* in production *

Humans have harnessed the remarkable production of the honeybee for thousands of years. Recent widespread population decline among commercial bee operations has focused attention on the long overlooked honeybee. With one third of our diet dependent on honeybee pollination, the stakes are high for bees and people alike. While scientists race to determine a cause for this mysterious 'colony collapse disorder', beekeepers continue to persevere against countless viruses and environmental stresses that increasingly threaten their hives.

In this critical moment, "Minding the Hive" closely observes the essential relationship between honeybees and beekeepers. Dispelling the misconception of bees as a hazard and nuisance, we witness bees and people co-existing in surprising settings-- from a cow pasture to a suburban backyard, to a rooftop in center city Philadelphia. Through the personal stories of five local beekeepers, the film reveals the complex intersection of nature, people, and technology. Viewed variably as bread-winner, pet, and inspiration, the beehive reflects these young beekeepers' own desires for support and self-sufficiency in a changing environment.