How to Bee (ALFF Encore screening)

This screening took place on Monday, February 18, 2019 at 6:00 pmYukon Arts Centre

In this heart-felt documentary, Whitehorse filmmaker Naomi Mark embarks on a journey to connect with her father through beekeeping after her dad – long time Yukoner and cantankerous Renaissance man, Don Mark - is diagnosed with a degenerative lung disease. Through archival photographs and interviews with family, the film explores the history of Don Mark’s beekeeping in the Yukon and traces his journey in the present day as he spends the summer passing his knowledge onto his daughter. From the politically charged climate of late 1960’s America, Don came to Canada to live a simple life and get away from the masses. By age 40 he had lived a wild adventure: travelled the world, studied in the Arctic, trapped for a living, built his own cabin, run his own dog teams and worked in the fire towers, the mountains and the mines. Now diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and retired from his job on the highway maintenance crew, Don has returned to his passion maintaining a small apiary north of Whitehorse. Don’s health is a constant hurdle for him. As Don’s health changes Naomi struggles to accept what the new found space between her father and the bees really means. Director Naomi Mark and producer Vivian Belik in attendance.