We've seen this film twice (once at the Organic Beekeeping Conference in Oracle, AZ in Feb, and once the other night at Yale University with the filmmaker present).

It is much better than some of the other recent films on the subject that I've seen.  Although I understand Randy's concerns, I see things a bit differently.  The majority of the beekeepers interviewed were not (nor do they claim to be) commercial beekeepers.  For the most part, these beekeepers have tried to find a way to fix things that works for them.  I'm not terribly impressed by "biodynamics" or by the label of "Organic Beekeeper"....but regardless of what these beekeepers are called (or call themselves), the general respect for the bees and their needs by the beekeepers interviewed in this film is inspiring (at least to me).  None are claiming to have a simple solution, none claim to be able to replace the current monocrop/migratory pollination model.

I expect a good percentage of Bee-L members have a garden, or at least have appreciation for home grown vegetables....this of course seems absurd in the face of our massive and efficient agricultural models (from some perspectives)...mass production is productive, but does not always deliver what the heart desires (a cherry tomato fresh from the vine still warm from the sun).

I recently was back in a neighborhood of Brooklyn where I used to live (back when I was trying to be a musician).....all of the "hipsters" that used to want to be artists and musicians now want to be farmers and to make pickles.

I would view "The Queen of the Sun" in this light....a profile of some of the innovative "bee gardeners".  To compare gardeners to farmers, or to compare large migratory operations to small stationary beekeepers is like comparing apples to oranges.

Of course, Granny knew where to get the best food (even if the food industry tried to tell her and us otherwise).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf0dk0zahwI

deknow

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