From the outside looking in, Zoë Nolan’s Anthony and the Bees could just be a simple documentary short. But Nolan, with the help of her fantastic subject, Anthony, has crafted a melodic and thoughtful film that offers a unique perspective that works terrifically.

Beekeeper Anthony O’Brien reflects on his formative experiences in inner-city Dublin and how he found an unlikely home amongst the beehives.

As O’Brien ponders the parallels between bees and humanity, a profound sense of mindfulness washes over. His passion for his work is palpable, to the point where he is completely at peace, his thoughts flowing effortlessly. This immersive experience of his narration mirrors the flow of thoughts that struck him on that day, drawing us into his world of bees and humans.

Add Brendan Jenkinson’s lovely hypnotic score, which floats through the film and into your consciousness with little bursts of a woodwind instrument (maybe clarinet? Rusty on the old instruments) to increase the meditative feel that Anthony and the Bees radiates. The score, like the documentary short itself, reels you in and soaks up any stresses or negative thoughts that were running through you at the time. It is quite marvellous how Jenkinson has been able to entwine his score so well here.

To almost cement the work and message that filmmaker Zoë Nolan is trying to convey with Anthony and the Bees, we get a moment where Anthony is tending away to his work on the roof of a building. Scrapping the honey methodically, yet peacefully, even while at least dozens of bees surround him. Then, suddenly, we hear what appears to be a couple arguing. It jolts you away from the peacefulness you had been experiencing. It makes you realise the importance of finding those moments to relax, even if it is, in fact, your job that causes that meditative state like Anthony’s.

Anthony takes Nolan on an enlightening experience as she documents him throughout her film. Who knew beekeepers were needed in inner city Dublin, for example? It has you wondering if a few in your city are diligently working away, practically unnoticed to the world, much akin to a bee itself. There is this wonderful comparison made in the film: as soon as bees are born, they are aware of what they need to do and just get right on with it. Whereas with Anthony, he went through some difficulties in his younger life, and now he has found his path. There are loads of little analogies like this littered throughout Anthony and the Bees that also take the chance to educate us simultaneously.

Despite its brief 8 minutes long, but if you let it, Anthony and the Bees will take you on a wonderful mindfulness journey and leave you more intrigued about bees and certainly about how they live in inner cities. More importantly, it is a documentary short that has you thinking inwards and reflecting on your own life in a quite lovely way.

Anthony and the Bees will be showing as part of the Competition Shorts Programme 1 on Saturday 22nd 1pm at the Queen’s Film Theatre. Tickets are available here.

★★★★ 

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