In 2006 commercial beekeeper David Hackenberg woke to find that half of his bees had vanished. There were no dead bees, no damage; just abandoned hives. He sounded the alarm to what is now called Colony Collapse Disorder. Vanishing of the Bees explores this phenomenon across the U.S. and Europe where a full third of honeybee colonies have disappeared. Theories abound about the cause—from cell phone interference, insecticides, viruses, mites, monoculture and suburban sprawl—but the only thing we know for sure is that without the bees to pollinate our crops there will be no food. It’s an intriguing film to prepare you for National Honeybee Awareness Day on August 21.
Following the screening, there will be a reception in the Furman Gallery. Visit Vanishing of the Bees for more information about the film and Colony Collapse Disorder.
Vanishing of the Bees
George Langworthy & Maryam Henein, 2009, USA; 85m
About Green Screens
The Film Society’s Green Screens program addresses through film the vital environmental concerns of global warming, the safety of our food supply, sustainable living, and more. Green Screens is programmed by Isa Cucinotta and Marian Masone.
