This is the beautifully realized documentary on the mysterious plague affecting the bees we've been waiting for.

Honeybees, a keystone species vital to sustaining our ecosystem and our food supply, are mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. No one knows why. Vanishing of the Bees is a multi-layered and beautifully conceived film on this puzzling topic.

The primary story takes us into the beekeepers’ lifestyle and profession by following commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy. Their commitment to the work and their reverence for these insects most everyone avoids will surprise you and ultimately win you over.

The film explores their struggles as the two friends plead their case to skeptical lawmakers about an epidemic that is not only affecting their livelihood, but millions who depend on bees to pollinate their crops. After all, this is a worldwide phenomenon. Filmed across the US, Europe, Australia and Asia, we hear from scientists who puzzle over the cause and delve into plausible theories... is it pesticides? Monoculture farming? Conflicting opinions abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery. Changing the pace and the mood, the filmmakers also lyrically examine the greater meaning the bees' disappearance holds about the relationship between mankind and the natural world.

For over three years, filmmakers George Langworthy and Maryam Henein chronicle the urgent effort of beekeepers and scientists as they fight to preserve the honeybee and make it through another day. Combining whimsical animation, 50’s educational films and interviews from around the world, the film is beautifully structured as in chapters in a book allowing it to provide insightful segments of the honeybee in other cultures throughout history.

Henein and Langworthy present not just a story about Colony Collapse Disorder, but a platform full of possible solutions that is powerfully argued, expertly covered and very timely. More importantly, they encourage audiences to change they way they see the natural world.

"The most important documentary film since An Inconvenient Truth."
- Karen Krizanovich/ Filmstar

"The implications are awful." - Peter Bradshaw/ The Guardian

"This Bee Movie has a real sting." - Naomi Christie/ The Times

"An essential documentary... if you like eating, see this film!"
- Daniel Etherington/ Channel 4

More information at http://www.vanishingbees.com/

The problem persists. See Oct. 2010 NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/weekinreview/10johnson.html?scp=1&sq=trouble%20in%20the%20hive&st=cse