The Bearded Beekeeper(2023)

Diary of a Bee(de)

In DIARY OF A BEE we follow the adventurous journey of a single bee from its birth (or hatching) to the founding of a new colony. Three years of shooting with the latest macro camera technology and special post-processing enable a unique visual language that allows completely new insights into the world of bees - without becoming unscientific. This story is told by Anna Thalbach as the "winter bee" and her daughter Nellie Thalbach, who takes on the role of the "summer bee". Welcome to the big drama of the little pollen collectors!

A Life on the Farm(en)

A strange story from Somerset, England about a filmmaking farmer and the inspiring legacy of his long-lost home movies.

Mike on the Farm(en)

89-year-old Italian immigrant Mike Nardone operates a farm all by himself in Alberta, Canada.

Intensif(fr)

Tractor Ted Brilliant Baler(en)

The forage harvester cuts the tall grass and then the brilliant baler squashes it into big bales.

Tractor Ted Tumbling Time(en)

An apple harvester collects up apples that are given a good wash and the children make apple juice.

The Strange Disappearance of the Bees(fr)

Investigation into a global ecological disaster that could endanger the entire human race. Today, a third of our food depends directly on bees, the most important agricultural pollinator* on our planet. Yet, for several years now, millions of bees have been mysteriously disappearing. Why? Will we be able to cope with this predicted catastrophe?

We Make Butter(en)

When Dick and Jane go to visit their cousin Billy and Aunt Ruth at their farm, they learn the process of how butter is made and prepared for stores by making it homemade.

Hinterkaifeck - Die wahre Geschichte hinter Tannöd(de)

Still today, people say that during the stormy night from March 31st to April 1st, 1922, the devil had come to Hinterkaifeck. On the farmstead near Schrobenhausen, all 6 inhabitants – 4 Adults and two children – are struck down bestially. The police did not manage to seek out the murderer(s). As the case is still unsolved as of today, the story still lives on in the minds of the people. Motion pictures, theatre plays, and the bestselling novel “Tannöd”, behind all of them stands Hinterkaifeck. Aspiring police investigators and a self-declared “Internet – special commission ‘Hinterkaifeck’” have now once again taken up the trail of the case. This exciting search for traces is followed by the film, and its findings are recreated in elaborate play scenes. Thereby, a picture of an era thought to be bygone and an idea of what really happened back then comes into existence. More precise than any fiction, the docudrama manages to get closer to the truth.

The Sadies Stop and Start(en)

The Sadies Stop and Start captures a moment in time. That time was uncertain and dark. Still reeling from losing Dallas, we found out that Mike needed to have emergency wrist surgery. We needed to play these songs, not knowing if we would ever have the opportunity again. With one day's notice, documentary filmmaker Ron Mann and a stellar crew pulled together to help us capture these songs. Friends and family gathered to help out and show their support. James McKenty engineered in his mobile recording trailer, In Record Time Studio. The resulting film looked and sounded better than we could have hoped. We are thankful to share that Mike's surgery was successful and we are back out on the road and coming to a city near you.

Gunda(en)

A glimpse into the raw and simple power of nature through encounters with farm animals: the eponymous Gunda, a mother pig; two cows, and a one-legged chicken.

Cow(en)

A close-up portrait of the daily lives of a pair of cows: told by way of some narrative-free, intimate POV photography, with plenty of close shot images, we follow the daily routine of these animals as they live what can only be described as mundane, boring lives - all with an ultimate purpose within the human food chain.

Tractor Ted Meets More Animals(en)

Tractor Ted takes us to see some unusual farm animals and we see some big farm machines hard at work

Meeting Place Organic Film(en)

Local, organic, and sustainable are words we associate with food production today, but 40 years ago, when Fran and Tony McQuail started farming in Southwestern Ontario, they were barely spoken. Since 1973, the McQuails have been helping to build the organic farming community and support the next generation of organic farmers. This is a documentary about the McQuails that explores the very real ways their farm has contributed to the long term ecological viability of agriculture in Ontario. It is a call to action for all those who believe there is a better way to take care of our planet and feed the world.

Diptych(fr)

A short film by Walerian Borowczyk in two parts. The first 'panel' follows the morning routine of Leon Boyer who, despite being almost 100 years old, still farms the land, drives a vintage car, and plays with his two dogs. The second panel shows shots of beautiful flowers and a cat, to a recording of Tino Rossi singing 'La romance de Nadir / Je crois encore entendre' from Bizet's opera 'Les pêcheurs de perles'.

Ceres(nl)

Ceres is a poetic yet realistic documentary that follows four children as they experience the natural cycle of life on a farm. Each child lives on a remote farm in the southwest of the Netherlands and is learning the profession of their ancestors from a young age. They each dream that one day they will take over the farms of their father or grandfather.

L'acte de la beauté(fr)

A World Without Bees?(fr)

There are numerous alerts and alarms. We now know that bees are endangered throughout the world. What are the possible solutions? How can humans respond to this situation? There are many answers, some are ubiquitous, some futuristic, others are innovative and still others embody unity and collectivity. Let's take a trip around the world to meet the different players and discover the possible solutions. The world of tomorrow will be found in the answers we find.

The Farmer(nl)

Eight years ago director Daan Jongbloed stumbled upon an abandoned farm, which surprisingly was inhabited by 97-year-old farmer Peer. The peacefulness and sobriety in which Peer lives fascinated Daan tremendously. His view of Peer’s rural lifestyle is rather idyllic, but to Peer this is reality. Why does he live the way he does? Who is Peer and what’s troubling him? In an attempt to understand Peer and his perception of life Daan has followed him on and off for the past eight years. Peer cautiously reveals a glimpse of his lonely life and disturbing past.

Vanishing of the Bees(en)

This documentary takes a piercing investigative look at the economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide disappearance of the honeybee. The film examines our current agricultural landscape and celebrates the ancient and sacred connection between man and the honeybee. The story highlights the positive changes that have resulted due to the tragic phenomenon known as "Colony Collapse Disorder." To empower the audience, the documentary provides viewers with tangible solutions they can apply to their everyday lives. Vanishing of the Bees unfolds as a dramatic tale of science and mystery, illuminating this extraordinary crisis and its greater meaning about the relationship between humankind and Mother Earth. The bees have a message - but will we listen?