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Deep Dive: Honeyland (2019)

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Honeyland
Honeyland is a documentary that follows the life of Hatidže Muratova, a beekeeper living in the remote village of Bekirlija, Macedonia. The film captures her solitary lifestyle and her relationship with her bedridden mother, Nazife, who relies on her for care. Hatidže is one of the last keepers of wild bees in Europe, and her way of life is disrupted when a nomadic family, led by Hussein Sam, moves into the area. The film shifts focus from the initial environmental themes to the impact of consumerism and resource depletion as Hatidže tries to maintain her way of life amidst the changes brought by her new neighbors. The documentary was filmed over three years, resulting in 400 hours of footage. It blends various documentary styles, including direct cinema and cinéma vérité, to present a raw and immersive view of Hatidže's life and the environmental issues surrounding her. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for two Academy Awards, making it the first documentary to be nominated in both the Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature categories.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Hatidže, one of Europe's last wild beekeepers.
  • •See the impact of new neighbors on a traditional lifestyle.
  • •Find out how Hatidže cares for her bedridden mother.

Did You Know

•Honeyland grossed $1,315,037 after its release.
•The film was shot over a period of three years.
•Hatidže lives in a village without electricity or running water.
•Honeyland received three awards at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
•It is the second Macedonian film to earn an Oscar nomination.

Perfect For

Environmental documentariesBeekeeping enthusiastsMacedonian culture