The Amrita Project

Logline

Three groups of women across the globe merge science + spirituality in their efforts to conserve wild honeybees amidst a challenging modern landscape.

The Story

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Conserving the Wild Bees

While managed honeybee colonies are still dying in mass quantities, new research is showing that wild honeybees have managed to evolve 600 changes in their DNA to cope with new parasites and diseases without the need for chemical treatments. This is not surprising when we understand that honeybees have survived and continually evolved on the earth for over 120 million years, and only began having problems in the past 100 years (which aligns with the beginnings of industrial beekeeping). While the honeybee is one of the most highly studied insects of all time, the majority of those studies have been performed in the context of industrial agriculture.

There is a new wave of interest in studying wild bees in their natural habitat (hollow tree cavities), which has revealed how little we actually know about this species and how it lives outside the industrial agricultural model. Wild bees hold the key to our survival on this planet, however, increased environmental pressures from the Queen Bee Breeding industry, industrial agriculture + deforestation are threatening wild bee populations to a degree that may cause us to lose them altogether if we do not act quickly to preserve the wild habitats that we have left.

The Bee Women

Amrita is a sanskrit word for honey, which also means ambrosia or ‘holy food.’

In pre-patriarchal society, bees were revered for their wisdom and were cared for by women across cultures around the world. Even though women were the dominant force in the ancient world of beekeeping, they are highly underrepresented in beekeeping today- a mere 32%.

While there have been some documentaries that point out the flaws in our industrial beekeeping approach (Queen of the Sun, and More Than Honey) they have still been focused on beekeeping (a method of farming bees for production) rather than conservation. These films have also been completely centered around men’s voices. It is empowering to see the women in this film at the forefront of conservation efforts after so much suppression in the field, and imperative that their stories finally be told.

Big Island, Hawaii

Alison Yahna embodies resilience in the face of adversity. With over two decades of experience rescuing and studying wild honeybee colonies on the Big Island, she confronts the alarming decline of bees due to introduced pathogens and widespread pesticide use. Rejecting conventional methods, Alison adopts a Darwinian approach, allowing bees to evolve resistance naturally. Despite initial setbacks and criticism, her apiary now thrives with resilient bees, free from chemical treatments. By preserving these wild honeybees, Alison has become a custodian of valuable genetic diversity, shielding them from the threats of modern industrial practices. However, the encroachment of development as well as the Queen Bee Breeding industry poses a looming threat to her sanctuary, underscoring the urgency of preserving wild spaces. Furthermore, we delve into Alison's budding collaboration with Priscilla Basque, a native Hawaiian beekeeper embroiled in a relentless battle with the Department of Agriculture over illicit pesticide usage in the coffee orchards adjacent to her hives.

Alentejo, Portugal

In the Alentejo valley of Portugal, the BeeWisdom Network, comprising Annelieke Van der Sluijs, Sandira Belia, Ulrike Krampen, and others, embarks on a quest to understand the essence of wild honeybees. Amidst challenges like desertification and monoculture farming, these women maintain an outlook of boundless joy and curiosity. Their meditative approach to beekeeping not only enriches their understanding but also fosters a deeper connection with nature. Through innovative hive designs crafted from cork and efforts to restore landscape diversity, they strive to create symbiotic relationships with their bees. Living off-grid and attuned to the rhythms of the natural world, they offer a glimpse into an alternative lifestyle rooted in harmony with the Earth.

Yucatán, Mexico

The funds raised in this crowdfunding campaign will enable us to film with our last group, the Mayan Melipona Bee Sanctuary in the Yucatan, where indigenous women honor their cultural heritage by safeguarding stingless Melipona bees. Despite their spiritual significance and historical reverence, these bees face existential threats from deforestation and habitat loss. Formerly tended to by male shamans, the conservation efforts are now led by women who recognize the intrinsic value of preserving this ancient tradition. By documenting their endeavors, the film sheds light on the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, emphasizing the imperative of protecting indigenous knowledge and biodiversity. 

Through the intersecting narratives of these women, the film underscores the pressing need to adopt sustainable practices and nurture symbiotic relationships with nature to ensure the survival of wild honeybees and the ecosystems they sustain.

ONYX BAIRD

As a filmmaker, my core drive is to craft art that ignites a reconnection between humanity and nature, inspiring a reciprocal relationship. My focus revolves around capturing the essence of communities deeply intertwined with the earth, showcasing their harmonious and enriching way of life. Rather than dwelling solely on the bleak realities of environmental degradation, I strive to spotlight solutions, employing the beauty of our world as a catalyst for meaningful change.

This film has been a seed I've nurtured for eight years. Initially, I knew nothing about bees, though I was aware of their plight. Having just graduated with a Master's in Fisheries and Wildlife, specializing in wildlife diseases, I was eager to find a way to blend my scientific expertise and creative passion to tell impactful stories. Little did I know, the bees would profoundly touch my soul and alter the course of my life.

Within six months of researching and developing the film, I also became a conservation-style beekeeper (www.feralhoney.org). Since then, I have studied conservation-based bee tending methods from women around the world and shared these teachings with my community. The women featured in this film are more than just participants; they are my dear friends and collaborators.

Being able to connect with you all over our mutual love for the bees has been the deepest gift! Thank you so much for believing in this film, and to those of you who have supported me all these years. It means the world to receive your kind words and donations!

Endless gratitude to you all for loving the bees and helping me get their message out into the world!

 

Our Budget

 

Social Impact

Insects are crucial to our survival on this planet. Unfortunately, insect populations have declined by nearly 45% in just the past 40 years. Bees are particularly important as they pollinate 80% of our food crops. Einstein stated that if we lost the bees, humans would only have 4 years left to live.

2022-2023 was the second deadliest year on record for bee colonies, with hive losses reaching an estimated 48%. Scientists understand that our beekeeping practices, the queen breeding industry, and industrial agriculture are all major contributors to this crisis - so why aren't we doing anything about it?

What will it take for us to change? A remembering of how to cultivate a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship with nature is needed. The women in this film are living examples of how living in harmony with the earth can be both beautiful and simple. The aim of this film is to uplift, inspire, and provide real solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time.

 

Our Sponsors + Community Partners

Women in Film – Portland is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 member-funded organization dedicated to elevating women in film, communications, and media through education, outreach and professional development in and around the Portland area and is the Portland chapter of the international association of Women in Film. Director Onyx Baird is part of the Educate/Incubate 2024 Program and Amrita is supported by Women In Film PDX.