Honeyland is described by The Guardian as an ‘astonishing, immersive environmental documentary’. Shot over the course of three years, it follows the life of Hatidže Muratova, one of the last women in Europe to employ traditional methods of harvesting honey from wild bees. Hatidže and her mother are the only remaining inhabitants of their remote Macedonian mountain village until the arrival of nomadic rancher Hussein Sam and his large family, who bring with them a herd of imported cattle. Hussein takes an interest in wild beekeeping and Hatidže begins to instruct him. However, he does not follow Hatidže’s advice to share the honey with the bees, ‘half for them, half for me’.
This film has been selected by Ben Coombs, chef patron of CAST Café. Honeyland had its UK premiere at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London during Ben’s time as head chef there; the film and Hatidže Muratova’s story have stayed with Ben since the event, making it a natural choice for his Artist’s Choice screening.
Ben has been a chef for nearly twenty years, having previously helped set up and run Argoe in Newlyn, acting as head chef for four years, and held the position of head chef at renowned restaurant Rochelle Canteen, at both its ICA and Shoreditch locations, prior to moving to Cornwall.
CAST’s Artist Choice events begin with a convivial supper at CAST Café. Tickets include a delicious vegetarian or vegan main and dessert. The Café doors open at 6pm. Service is from the counter and drinks are available to purchase. When everyone has finished eating someone from CAST’s team will invite you to move through to our black box screening space for the introduction and screening. For more information, see our FAQs.
Ticket sales including CAST Café supper are available until 5pm the day before the event.