Saving the Life Keepers

Subtitled The New Science of Sustainable Beekeeping, this documentary consists of two dozen short chapters—some consisting of only a few seconds of sound-bites—from scientists, beekeepers, and other experts on the care and feeding of bees (those critical pollinaters), as well as other topics, such as cooking with honey and creating mass plantings of protein-rich flowers. These techniques apply not just to honeybees but also to mason bees and bumblebees, with examples presented from the perspective of gardeners and beekeepers in two regions: Vancouver, BC, and Mexico's Yucatan (among those featured prominently are conservationist Brian Campbell, founder of the Bee School in Vancouver, and Dr. J. Javier G. Quezada-Euan of the Autonomous University of Yucatan). The struggles of honeybees, in particular, to survive parasitic mites and sudden hive collapse have been documented elsewhere, but filmmaker Jocelyn Demers' Saving the Life Keepers adds rich detail, as practitioners in Canada discuss their methods for keeping bees happy and hives healthy, while Mexican beekeepers note their preference for aggressive Africanized bees (once demonized as “killer bees”) because they produce so much honey. Offering an informative look at a major ecological concern, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Gardner)