Honeyland

This wonderful documentary follows the life of Hatidže Muratova in this remote hamlet in the Macedonian mountains. She lives alone looking after her old, bedridden mother and keeping wild bees according to ancient family tradition. The film-makers met her by chance. She agreed reluctantly then got used to the film-crew and does not let herself in any way be disturbed by being filmed. Her strong personality comes over, a wonderful woman!
Life changes for Hatidže when a neighbour family moves in with half-a-dozen children and a herd of cows. She says I will talk to them and be friendly but otherwise keep to myself. Two dramatic events disrupt her life during the three years of filming: the death of her mother and her bees being attacked show more and killed by the starving bees of the neighbours who started a honey business on a large scale but disregarded her advice on keeping the bees.

Watch not just the trailer; more informative is ‘Finding the star of Honeyland’ on YouTube. (II-21) show less