We've all heard about the mysterious disappearance of honey bees throughout the world in news reports and specials on the subject. Yes, mysterious because there seems to be no reason for it. Is it alien abduction or have the bees abandoned the earth much as the dolphins did in Douglas Adams' 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy," predicting the end of the planet? It all seems so romantic and foreboding. What will the world do without cross-pollination? The bees' flower dance is responsible for 40% of the food we eat. What will we do without honey -- the most healthful of all sweeteners?
Multi-award-winning Taggert Siegel, director of 'The Real Dirt on Farmer John' (2005), takes on what seems to be a daunting task of finding out what has actually happened to the bees. As it turns out, many people, experts in their various scientific and agricultural fields, are willing to tell him exactly the causes of their disappearance. It is a multi-pronged problem, and the reason it has probably remained untold to this point is that humans are 100% responsible for it. The explanations are clear and precise, and it's fascinating. But not only does this documentary explain how the problems arose, causing colony collapse disorder (5 million empty hives thus far at 50,000 to 60,000 bees per hive never to be re-inhabitated), but offers solutions.
This beautifully shot film is also a loving, poetic and historic tribute. Siegel travels to locations throughout the world where agronomists, beekeepers and gardeners express their respect and admiration for bees from their lifestyle of total cooperation for the good of the hive to the benefits humans have reaped from their vital place in the ecosystem.
Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?
Director / Co-Producer /Cinematographer / Co-Editor: Taggart Siegel
Time: 83in.
Rated: Not
Opens March 25 in the Roxie Theater in San Francisco
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