Visually stunning, compelling and masterly narrated, Honeyland is a must-see epic makes us ponder over the delicate balance between nature and humans. The first documentary ever to receive Oscar nomination in two categories at this year’s Academy Awards! A beautiful and miraculous celebration of living with nature, and a celebration of the Eastern European documentary cinema.

The screening of this Macedonian thought-provoking film with marvellous photography, will be accompanied by the director of photography Samir Ljuma, who will give the Masterclass after the screening. Join us on Wednesday 9 December at 19:00 hours in Louis Hartlooper Complex in Utrecht.

Country: North Macedonia Subtitles: English Year: 2019 Length: 89 min Director: Tamara Kotevska, Ljubomir Stefanov Screenplay: Tamara Kotevska, Ljubomir Stefanov Editing: Atanas Georgiev Cinematography: Fejmi Daut, Samir Ljuma Cast: Hatidze Muratova, Nazife Muratova, Hussein Sam Production: Atanas Georgiev – Trice Films

Synopsis

Hatidze, a Macedonian village woman, devoted her whole life to beekeeping and selling honey. She lives high in the mountains, being isolated and lonely. She is probably the last female wild beekeeper in Europe who nourishes the ancient style of working, trying to save the bees and maintain the natural balance in their environment. Her Honeyland gets invaded by a big family of nomadic beekeepers, who make her happy and sad. Their bee keeping techniques threaten her wild bees and her own livelihood. This film revolves around Hatidze’s struggle to save the bees, her day-to-day modest surviving needs, while taking care of her old and bedridden mother. The directors, to whom this film is a debut in the feature-length production, observed for three years their protagonist patiently, meticulously investing not only time but lots of love as well.

Festivals & Awards

Academy Awards, USA 2020 – Oscar nominee | Sundance Film Festival, 2019 – World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize, Special Jury Award, Cinematography Award | Sarajevo Film Festival 2019 – Audience Award