Beekeeper

The three young Slovaks standing behind the creation of ‘Beekeeper’ are very much aware of the ‘American Dream’ illusion, which promises a better life provided one pushes their limits and always works to achieve more. However, from their own experience, they found that this approach only leads to burnout and dismisses the role of humans as a part of nature, where both entities are fragile and depend on each other. The filmmakers believe that the current climate crisis serves especially to highlight the need for mending this relationship, which cannot be achieved by upsetting the audience nor blaming third parties for its cause. Rather, they strive to positively inspire their audience by showing them this balance being put to practice.

Matúš grew up in the rural parts of Liptov, a region of Slovakia known for its natural beauty among both locals and visitors. After graduating from a university in Scotland and loving the experience, he decided to return back to his roots, unlike many young people in his position. Living at his parents’ farm, he balances his part-time postgraduate study and office job with striving to draw near to a way of life his great-grandparents used to lead.

The fact that he loves the place where he lives is clear at first sight. Whatever he is doing, be it squeezing honey from sheets of honeycomb or climbing rocks at his favourite wall at Haliny, he is completely immersed in the movement, bathing in the ambient sounds of the scene. Through informal interviews and silent shots, the filmmakers attempt to bring the viewer into Matúš’s space and get to know him as they did.