Honeyland

It’s hard to write a review that would do this story justice. I rented this without reading the description. I’m not one for subtitles but I couldn’t stop watching. I feel like there is a lesson to be learned from this too. Definitely worth the watch.

I have seen countless movies and many documentaries, honeyland has changed my life . Bravo ,well done ,stunning and amazing doesn’t even come close .

It doesn't matter where these events are happening. The themes of the documentary apply to everyone, regardless of nationality. Family, man/nature harmony, tradition vs. newness... all of these things affect all of us, not in the same way that they affect Hatidze, but in our own unique ways. The decision to eschew narration makes everything that happens more authentic and intimate. And, by the conclusion, we all feel the same as the main character. It's really something to behold. And, to be honest, there are times, from a technical aspect, where I was watching and thinking, "how the heck did they get that shot?" It's really, really good and should have won best documentary feature. It's a joke that it didn't win.

While this beautiful to look at and a somewhat interesting, but sad documentary, it is hard to decipher what’s happening. The director decided not have a narrator. As a result, the viewer doesn’t know where this takes place, who the people are, how much time is passing. Without this context, the story is less impactful than it might have been. It’s hard to recommend this documentary.

I ventured into watching this film with nothing but the trailer behind me. I've become used to being derailed by deceptive trailers, but this was a beautiful exception. The cinematography, extraordinary; the narrative, told in perfect cinema verite style, is of a mother and daughter and honeybees tucked away in a internationally neglected corner of the Europe. It is also a story of an ancient process of beekeeping and the provocative and brutal relationship of people to their land, community and small village . An Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature. Not to be missed for worshipers of the art of good filmmaking.