In Turkish. This movie is the ultimate in reality TV. It is a bona fide, true-to-life documentary -- with no actors, no scripting, and no re-takes. In fact, the film crew didn't even understand the protagonists' language. Translators added the subtitles after the movie was completed.
The story unfolds in the rural backwaters of Macedonia, in a place devoid of broad-based socioeconomic opportunity. A kindly, middle-aged woman named Natidze ekes out a fragile subsistance for herself and her ailing mother by harvesting honey. Many of "her" hives are scattered across the adjoining countryside on undeveloped land. An itenerant family, with a gaggle of unkempt childern in tow, park their mobile trailer on the adjoining lot. The father, Hussein, struggles to raise cattle, but fails to make a go of it. Armed with knowledge gleaned from Natidze, he tries his hand at bee keeping. Goaded on by an avaricious business partner, and by the desire to care for his seven needy children, Hussein over-harvests his hives. Lacking the honey needed to sustain themselves, his bees attack Natidze's hives. Their bee-keeping businesses collapse, and Hussein's family moves on in search of greener pastures.
I watch movies either for edification or entertainment. This movie offers neither. But if you "enjoy" sad truths, this is definitely your huckleberry.
The story unfolds in the rural backwaters of Macedonia, in a place devoid of broad-based socioeconomic opportunity. A kindly, middle-aged woman named Natidze ekes out a fragile subsistance for herself and her ailing mother by harvesting honey. Many of "her" hives are scattered across the adjoining countryside on undeveloped land. An itenerant family, with a gaggle of unkempt childern in tow, park their mobile trailer on the adjoining lot. The father, Hussein, struggles to raise cattle, but fails to make a go of it. Armed with knowledge gleaned from Natidze, he tries his hand at bee keeping. Goaded on by an avaricious business partner, and by the desire to care for his seven needy children, Hussein over-harvests his hives. Lacking the honey needed to sustain themselves, his bees attack Natidze's hives. Their bee-keeping businesses collapse, and Hussein's family moves on in search of greener pastures.
I watch movies either for edification or entertainment. This movie offers neither. But if you "enjoy" sad truths, this is definitely your huckleberry.