Synopsis

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives.

Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.

Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.

Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indicate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting opinions abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery.

Facts

• The recording sessions for the US version were done on April 29 and May 13, 2010. The crew was in Los Angeles and they did it over the wire with Ellen in Halifax.
• The last bit of additonal narration was recorded on July 15, 2010 during Ellen’s Inception promotion tour

Quotes:

• I am extremely lucky to have been involved with a documentary called "The Vanishing of the Bees". Please check it out!
  (First mention of the project on Ellen’s Facebook)
• In other news, more recording will Ellen Page today! To our new followers, she is the lovely narrating voice of our film (U.S. version)! [...] We are truly blessed to have Ellen Page narrate our film!
  (Miryam Henein announced that Ellen joined the project via Twitter and Facebook)