Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?

Filmmaker Taggart Siegel's documentary explores the disturbing phenomenon of colony collapse disorder in the bee world. Beekeeper Gunther Hauk believes the bees are repaying humans for abusing the environment: “Their crisis,” he says, “is our crisis.” Agriculture suffers the consequences of any threat to the buzzing insects, which pollinate 40 percent of our produce, according to author Michael Pollan, who also appeared in the similarly-themed 2009 documentary Vanishing of the Bees. Along with assorted scientists, Siegel speaks with beekeepers around the world, from city dwellers with rooftop operations to itinerants who feed their imported hives high-fructose corn syrup in order to pollinate hundreds of acres of almond, corn, and soybean crops. While this intensive monoculture approach produces high yields, there are also numerous harmful side effects for the pollinators, especially in regards to pesticides, while genetic modifications cause further problems. Some of Siegel's interviewees believe the tiny creatures have as much to teach us about politics as the environment, since their lives revolve around collective action. In addition to looking at economic and environmental issues, Siegel also shows how bees and honey have been represented throughout history. Overall, the filmmaker gravitates towards striking imagery (including lively animated sequences illustrating the bee mating cycle) and is drawn to quirky professionals, such as Grenoble bee historian Yvon Achard, who likes to rub his bushy mustache against his honeycombs, claiming that the creatures enjoy it (although it seems more like a personal fetish). Recommended. [Note: this is also available for $125 w/PPR for high schools & public libraries, and $295 w/PPR for colleges & universities from Collective Eye (www.collectiveeye.org).] Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)