The Bee

'The Bee' is the first short film in the series ‘In Their Nature’ and it highlights Bill Perkins, a beekeeper in Boston who shares his knowledge and love of bees with his community, much like a bee spreading pollen. He is vital to the health and well-being of his community without realizing how far he reaches or how important he is to the colony and the planet. He struggles with where our planet is heading but he pushes forward still and continues to educate those who will listen. We are all searching for the “good” in these wild, heavy times – and without even knowing it, Bill is the good story people are craving.

'In Their Nature' project showcases people with a giving nature, people who selflessly help others get outdoors and find nature, changing their communities in a positive way – especially for those who don’t have access to nature easily. These people generously help to break through barriers others face in accessing nature in urban spaces. And they do it without a spotlight, without a need for applause. These are the leaders, the quiet ones, who give of themselves because, plain and simply, it’s just in their nature. And sometimes that means riding through a busy city with 10,000 bees on the back of your bike so you can share them with second graders who are learning about pollination.

With all the things weighing us down right now, these are the people that lift us up, and their stories inspire us, motivate us and compel us to also give of ourselves.

  • Kim Lowe
    Director
  • Kim Lowe
    Writer
  • Kim Lowe
    Producer
  • Bill Perkins
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 22, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kim Lowe

When Kim led a group of kindergarteners on a little walk in the Arnold Arboretum, right down the street from her sons' school, a couple things happened. First, their little brains exploded with wonder and joy - because, to Kim’s surprise, they’d never been in the woods. Second, Kim’s passion for nature equity took root: a drive to help kids connect, enjoy and learn from nature that exists in the city around them – not trying to take them out of the city to find nature but to show them that it is within reach, right out their backdoor even.

Kim is a beekeeper and a gardener who has also spent the past two decades as a commercial director and photographer. When Covid-19 shut down her industry, she brought all these sides of her life together and became a first-time filmmaker. The Bee is the first short-film in her series 'In Their Nature,' shining a light on people who strive to get kids outside in nature in urban spaces.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

For too many years I talked about doing this project, In Their Nature, where I highlight stories of people in my community who work hard to get kids out in nature in the city. So when the pandemic forced us to stop, close our eyes, and reopen them… I saw very clearly who our leaders are and that I needed to tell their stories, not just for them but for all of us. 'The Bee' is just the beginning.