Angelina Jolie-Produced ‘Bee Wild’ Buzzes at SXSW London World Premiere

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angelina jolie, a winner of an Academy Award, recently launched her latest project as executive producer, titled “Bee Wild,” which is an environmental documentary. This film had its world debut at the initial SXSW London event. Through captivating cinematography and influential activism, it highlights the urgent global predicament concerning wild pollinators.

As a cinema enthusiast, I had the privilege of attending a screening of an inspiring film at Curzon Hoxton, narrated by the talented Grammy-nominated artist and environmental advocate, Ellie Goulding. Not only did she lend her captivating voice to the story, but she also contributed original music that added an extra layer of emotion to the film. After the screening, there was a live Q&A session with award-winning directors Josh and Rebecca Tickell, producer Eva Kruse, and Erika Thompson from Texas Beeworks, making it a truly memorable experience.

The Tickells’ newest environmental project, titled “Bee Wild,” follows their successful documentary series which includes “Kiss the Ground” and “Common Ground.” These documentaries have collectively captivated over 100 million viewers worldwide through streaming platforms. The husband-and-wife duo behind the camera has established a unique space in climate-optimistic environmental documentaries, as described by Josh Tickell.

“Bee Wild,” a new environmental project from the Tickells, is their latest venture following the popular documentaries “Kiss the Ground” and “Common Ground.” These films have reached over 100 million viewers worldwide on streaming platforms, and the husband-and-wife team behind them has built a distinctive niche in uplifting climate-focused environmental documentaries, as Josh Tickell puts it.

The movie showcases notable figures like Jolie, acclaimed beekeeper Thompson, and environmental expert Professor Rockström. It delves into both cultural and ecological perspectives, highlighting the crucial part that wild bees play in maintaining natural ecosystems and agriculture.

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This film introduces us to renowned figures such as Jolie, beekeeper Thompson, and environmentalist Professor Rockström. It explores various aspects of culture and ecology to demonstrate the significance of wild bees in preserving natural habitats and food production systems.

During the question-and-answer session following the movie screening, Rebecca Tickell highlighted the educational focus of their projects: “We retain the rights to all our films, ensuring they remain accessible for educational purposes. This is where we’ve noticed the most significant impact.

The Tickells’ method of environmental narrative intentionally opposes the grim structure typical in “bad news cliff” documentaries, as Josh Tickell put it. He stated, “Many environmental documentaries, and even the environmental movement itself… it can feel like a ‘bad news cliff’,” which hasn’t been effective in encouraging change for the past 20-30 years.

The Tickells’ way of telling environmental stories is designed to contrast with the usual “doom and gloom” documentaries, as described by Josh Tickell. He pointed out that this approach, used in many environmental films and the environmental movement itself, hasn’t been successful at motivating people to make changes for the past 20-30 years.)

Rather than relying on conventional classifications, the filmmakers imbue their productions with a strong affinity for nature, or biophilia. This results in content that Josh Tickell terms as optimistic, which poses challenges to streaming platforms’ algorithms since they are not equipped to handle the large viewership these pieces attract. “When we talk to streamers, they’re baffled because their algorithms aren’t made for hope,” he explained.

Approximately half of the 25 students burst into tears, repeatedly questioning, ‘Are we using pesticides?’ The screening spurred five distinct inquiries from parents regarding household pesticide use and food safety.

The ‘Bee Wild’ initiative was first launched by the fashion and materials science company Pangaia. Financing for this project comes from various sources such as corporate donations, wealthy individuals, and foundations. The film is managed under the fiscal sponsorship of the Redford Center, operating as a non-profit venture.

The documentary is supported by a team of executive producers which includes Susan Rockefeller, Regina Scully, Anders & Anne Holch Povlsen, Melony & Adam Lewis, Peng Xiao, Mira Duma, and Melissa Moncada. At present, the film is on the hunt for distribution, with the Tickells aiming to find streaming outlets after its screening at SXSW London.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m compelled to express my awe for what I recently witnessed on the silver screen – a cinematic marvel that stands tall as the most impactful bee-centric film of our era. This masterpiece isn’t just a feast for the eyes; it’s an enlightening experience, even for seasoned beekeepers like myself, Erika Thompson, who boasts a staggering following of 20 million across various social media platforms. In essence, this film isn’t merely a movie; it’s a testament to the world of bees, their intricate lives, and the vital role they play in our ecosystem.

The phrase ‘Bee Wild’ is a component of a larger worldwide movement named Bee:wild, spearheaded by Re:wild – an environmental conservation group co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio. This campaign seeks to revitalize the buzz of pollinators, inspiring both small-scale actions like adopting bee-friendly practices on urban balconies, as well as larger efforts such as policy advocacy.

Previously, the Tickells’ environmental films have garnered popularity on prominent streaming services. For instance, “Kiss the Ground” was one of Netflix’s top environmental documentaries before it shifted to Amazon Prime Video, joining “Common Ground.” Now, the award-winning team is busy producing their third movie about soil and climate, titled “Groundswell.

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2025-06-06 11:46