Beekeeping in the End Times is an independent film made by two sisters and beekeepers based in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The production blends the practices of anthropology and filmmaking to present the strange and familiar stories of multispecies love and human responsibility in an era of pending climate crisis.

Bees across Bosnia and Herzegovina forage in nearly ideal conditions. And yet, local beekeepers are increasingly struggling to keep the honeybees healthy and alive. Ferid, a veteran beekeeper complains, “Things we used to know, such as weather, calendar and climate, have shifted… The life of the bees and the beekeeper’s know-how are now coming apart.”

Beekeeping, the religion of Islam, apiary practices and climate change are entangled in a relationship that has shifted dramatically in a post war Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the globe. Local beekeepers are knowledge holders of the weather and seasons. Being attuned to their bees appetites and the intimate connection between the hive and the lives of plants, apiarists offer insight into stories of love and survival.

‘For the local Muslims, there is no world without bees.’

Co-directors Azra and Larisa collected 72 hours of footage, filming beekeepers and shepherds at 32 locations in the mountainous, riverine, and Mediterranean sub-climates of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The original score is composed by Mirza Redzepagic blending maqam music, Sufi invocations, Balkan lore, and industrial beats.

The filmmakers will present a discussion and Q&A live from Bosnia and Herzegovina following the film.

Film: 6:00PM—7:00PM

Q+A Session 7:00PM—7:30PM

This film screening is supported by a City of Greater Geelong Community Grant.

TRAILER: https://youtu.be/W6IJ3l3CbFA