Synopsis
Hatidze is one of the last people to harvest honey in the traditional way, in the desert mountains of North Macedonia. Without any protection and with passion, she connects with the bees. She only takes the honey she needs to make a modest living, always ensuring to leave half for the bees to maintain the delicate balance between humans and nature. But this equilibrium is soon disrupted by a nomadic family of beekeepers who settle not far from her home.
A word from Tënk
After three years of filming, the co-directors created a captivating narrative that brings together two contrasting lifestyles: the simultaneously harsh yet relatively peaceful life of a beekeeper (and her ailing, ageing mother) living in harmony with the land and her bees, and the hectic life of a turbulent large family clumsily raising livestock, and eventually bees too. The rhythmic editing, in phase with the various actions and characters on screen, unfolds a unique intriguing fable with ecological, economic and social ramifications. Spectacular in its own right and elevated by its skillful cinematography, this film paints a sensitive and intimate portrait of beekeeper Hatidze Muratova, a remarkably endearing and inspiring woman. Honeyland is undeniably a surprising and thought-provoking film.
Hubert Sabino-Brunette
Teacher and programmer
