Narrated by actress Ellen Page, this enlightening documentary looks at the disappearance of the honeybee, whose significance goes far beyond producing wax and honey; as pollinators, bees help to ensure the production of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Filmmakers George Langworthy and Maryam Henein follow commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they describe the situation to legislators on Capitol Hill and struggle to fulfill pollination contracts across the country. Hackenberg, who oversees 3,000 hives, first reported the problem in 2006 when he discovered 400 hives devoid of bees. USA Today, 60 Minutes, and other media outlets spread the word, after which government scientists formed a task force, labeled the phenomenon “colony collapse disorder,” and pinpointed a total of 35 affected states. Footage shot throughout the U.S.—as well as in Europe, Asia, and Australia—makes it clear that this is a worldwide phenomenon, and while the cause still remains a mystery, pesticides appear to be the most likely culprit. Entomologist Dennis vanEngelsdorp and author Michael Pollan outline the ways some keepers have dealt with the crisis, such as through colony division, bee importation, artificial insemination, and holistic methods, while other experts, including Bee Wilson (author of The Hive: The Story of the Honeybee and Us), expand the narrative by discussing the significance of these amazing creatures throughout history. Vanishing of the Bees ends on an optimistic note, citing helpful steps that consumers can take, such as buying organic foods. The DVD also includes a 55-minute version of the film. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
Vanishing of the Bees
(2010) 88 min. DVD: $89: high schools & public libraries; $195: colleges & universities. Hive Mentality Films (dist. by The Video Project). PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 26, Issue 3
Vanishing of the Bees
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: