Silence of the Bees is a thought provoking, emotionally charged film. It's beautifully written and the characters are very strong and real. Jim Beaver and Sharon Garnier did an excellent job portraying the intense relationship between a father and daughter struggling to know each other and come to terms with their own life choices. It made me reexamine my own relationship with my father. Also you have to give the filmmakers a lot of credit for making a film of this quality with little money. From what I know about the making of it, they were able to utilize great talent because of close friendships which says a lot about the cast and crew. These folks really believe in this project. A tour DE force, haunting and unforgettable. I can't wait for the full length film. I'd recommend the Silence of the Bees to everyone.
119 Reviews
Powerfully dramatic in an artful way.
pmremmele25 October 2008
Silence of Bees is a powerful short film that packs an emotional wallop through the performances of the two leads. As I watched the film, I couldn't help but be reminded of the universal struggle between parents and their children. Sharon Garnier is raw and completely open on the screen. Jim Beaver's sardonic portrayal of an alcoholic writer is both an archetype and uniquely individual. The camera work and the editing are flawless. This is real gem of a film. No tricks, no artifice, just pure cinema in an old fashion sense. This film is a testimonial to the idea that simple, pure and profound emotions ultimately have more impact than superficial, contrived plot devices. It deserves to be seen.
Great Short Film!
lovely_lyss21 May 2012
The preview clip somewhat does pull me into the picture. As I watched the preview, I felt like I could see what was happening in the time before the preview and I wanted to know what was going to happen after it ended.
The Actors: Jim Beaver is a stage, film, television actor, playwright, screenwriter, and film historian. He is perhaps most familiar to worldwide audiences as 'Ellsworth'... the gruff, tenderhearted prospector in the HBO series Deadwood. This role won him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
Sharon Garnier appears in a wide range of television and film projects, including HBO's Deadwood and WB's Jack & Bobby. Her primary work is in the realm of independent film and theatre. Sharon's recent film portrayal as Alex McKenzie in the independent short film The Silence of Bees found attention in several international film festivals.
The Writers: Joanna Perry-Folino, Screenwriter and Producer Joanna is the Executive Producer of Into The Fire Film and Theatrical Productions, LLC. She is a playwright, screenwriter, librettist as well as a producer. Her short film, The Silence of Bees, (based on the prologue to her stage play of the same title) won the prestigious Accolade Film Award in 2008, an Aloha Accolade from the Honolulu International Film Festival in 2009 and was screened at the Southeast New England Film Festival, The Kodak Screening Room in Los Angeles by Women in Film in April 2009, at the Urban Suburban Film Festival in Philadelphia and The Naperville Independent Film Festival in Illinois where it is an Official Selection. Also the producer of the film!
The Director: Andrew J. Traister's recent production of Waiting For Godot at A Noise Within in Glendale, California, was chosen as a Los Angeles Times Critics Choice. Andrew directed The Actors Playpen's inaugural productions of Lolita and Road To Nirvana in Hollywood. He has directed at The Old Globe Theatre, Alaska Repertory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Tacoma Actors Guild, Geva Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Diego Repertory Theatre and many more companies across the country.
I liked: The location; the location was really pretty and gave a different spin on the film. The actors/actresses; super into their rolls, felt like they were their character & the relationship between them was great. It was a good short film & I do not have anything really to say negatively.
The Actors: Jim Beaver is a stage, film, television actor, playwright, screenwriter, and film historian. He is perhaps most familiar to worldwide audiences as 'Ellsworth'... the gruff, tenderhearted prospector in the HBO series Deadwood. This role won him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
Sharon Garnier appears in a wide range of television and film projects, including HBO's Deadwood and WB's Jack & Bobby. Her primary work is in the realm of independent film and theatre. Sharon's recent film portrayal as Alex McKenzie in the independent short film The Silence of Bees found attention in several international film festivals.
The Writers: Joanna Perry-Folino, Screenwriter and Producer Joanna is the Executive Producer of Into The Fire Film and Theatrical Productions, LLC. She is a playwright, screenwriter, librettist as well as a producer. Her short film, The Silence of Bees, (based on the prologue to her stage play of the same title) won the prestigious Accolade Film Award in 2008, an Aloha Accolade from the Honolulu International Film Festival in 2009 and was screened at the Southeast New England Film Festival, The Kodak Screening Room in Los Angeles by Women in Film in April 2009, at the Urban Suburban Film Festival in Philadelphia and The Naperville Independent Film Festival in Illinois where it is an Official Selection. Also the producer of the film!
The Director: Andrew J. Traister's recent production of Waiting For Godot at A Noise Within in Glendale, California, was chosen as a Los Angeles Times Critics Choice. Andrew directed The Actors Playpen's inaugural productions of Lolita and Road To Nirvana in Hollywood. He has directed at The Old Globe Theatre, Alaska Repertory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Tacoma Actors Guild, Geva Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Diego Repertory Theatre and many more companies across the country.
I liked: The location; the location was really pretty and gave a different spin on the film. The actors/actresses; super into their rolls, felt like they were their character & the relationship between them was great. It was a good short film & I do not have anything really to say negatively.
The Silence of Bees worth watching
cathy_colt22 May 2012
The Silence of Bees was a great short film. Jim Beaver and Sharon Garnier did a great job capturing the emotion of a troubled father/daughter relationship. It was clear that they didn't know or understand each other very well. Father/daughter relationships can be so complicated and if not portrayed properly can come across as fake and over acted, but that's not the case here.
I do wish the movie could have been longer. I found myself wanting more backstory about Alex's mom and in her past and present relationships. I wanted to know more about Parker and what made him the way he was. I want to know what the relationship was like between Alex and her dad before her mom went away.
I love the story about how this movie was made. The budget was small and the actors did the movie as favors of the directors. They loved the script and wanted to be a part of the film.
I do wish the movie could have been longer. I found myself wanting more backstory about Alex's mom and in her past and present relationships. I wanted to know more about Parker and what made him the way he was. I want to know what the relationship was like between Alex and her dad before her mom went away.
I love the story about how this movie was made. The budget was small and the actors did the movie as favors of the directors. They loved the script and wanted to be a part of the film.
Review of film
jannelmachado5 December 2011
The Silence of Bees is a short, 17 minute film that successfully portrays the movies plot and storyline. Being a short movie, The Silence of Bees gets right to the point and does an okay job at including everything the audience wants to see. For me, the movie consisted of many good characteristics, but with the good comes bad. On the other hand, the only negative thing I can think of would be choice of music. The music used for scenes didn't match up to what I was expecting to hear. Overall, I enjoyed this short film and its way of fulfilling many aspects in a short amount of time. I am glad I was able to see this movie through the drama course I am in, because if it wasn't for the class I would have never seen this.
Review
imbored200221 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The Silence of Bees is an emotionally charged film that almost anyone can relate to when it comes to the struggle between parents and their children throughout life. The characters had a lot of depth and Sharon and Jim really brought them to life. The film has wonderful sound and the cinematography was fantastic, you could tell at every angel how the characters were feeling and the use of close-ups', and medium shots were great. The music was fitting for the film and on point. The only thing I didn't care for were the shots with low lighting, it made things hard to see at times. Other than that the film was great and I would recommend it to watch.
Silence of the Bees Review
boxeocampeon8 December 2012
Silence of the Bees is a great short film. It does not need to special effects and extensive scenery to get the message across. A film about a father and his daughter. He is a writer and she is a nurse. Their passions are completely different but their love for each other is mutual. The emotion displayed in the characters and the simple cinematography is very effective in getting the intended message across. Everyone should take the short time to watch this film and it will help you understand what it is truly like to be a writer and what it takes. You may have to watch it twice to understand the intended message but that is what makes the film great. It takes understanding and some thought to understand the intended message of the film
Excellent Short Film!
hero_298411 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed the film overall! I think it was very strong in terms of grabbing the audience's attention and pulling us in to an emotional scene that many of us could relate to. After viewing the film and comparing it to the script, I personally felt one of the weaknesses was the acting. I personally did not feel that drawn to the characters' portrayal of the emotional tension between Alex and Parker. In the script, the emotions and tone, such as sarcasm and bitterness, can easily be identified; however in the film at certain parts, I felt that Garnier's portrayal was too artificial or maybe showing a little too much emotion to be equated to how a real person would conduct themselves in this situation. I do not mean to insult the actress, but I feel that portrayal could have been better. I felt that Parker's character was pretty spot on to what I had imagined after reading the script. On the positive side, I do think that setting and the music were very effective for creating the right atmosphere during the various parts of their conversation. Also, I thought that the script was well written and the film was shot effectively; it allowed the audience to grasp only bits and pieces of the father-daughter relationship and history which ultimately allowed us to make up our own opinions about their choices and perspectives.
A great short film
jvt49 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The Silence of the Bees is an interesting short film that gives the audience the question about mortality, and the ideas behind dreams and the definition of satisfaction. Sharon Garnier portrays Alex McKenzie, a nurse who is taking care of her father Parker Lam (Portrayed by Jim Beaver). Parker is an unsuccessful author who is living in Barbados. He continues to write, despite his failing age, and in his weakened state he wishes his daughter to continue the mantle of writing in his stead. She does not find an interest in writing as it does not give her the immediate satisfaction that a nurse's paycheck does. Despite her qualms about writing, nursing in reality requires more patience and vitality than most other jobs. To care for one's artistic work, is at times similar to how one cares for another's life. The film ends itself on an ambiguous note, with Parker's beer spilled on the floor. The audience assumes he had died from the previous bee sting, but it may also be possible that he had just accidentally dropped his stuff. The final scene shows the mortality of human beings, as the audience believes that Parker is dead, but the ambiguity of the scene prevents us from knowing for sure. The film is interesting, and while short gives us various ideas and morals to think about. Overall, i would give the short film, "The Silence of Bees", a Solid 8.
A touching film
sfgiant573 November 2008
The Silence of Bees was a wonderful and emotional short film. It was a more realistic look at a father and daughter's relationship. Nothing cliché or overly done like many movies today. Jim Beaver and Sharon Garnier brought out the best in their characters. Though the acting was the most important part of this drama, all the other pieces of the film were executed just as well despite some minor things. Some of the shots taken felt unnecessary, specifically a couple of the closeup shots. Again, minor things that do not take away from the power of the film. The sound and music set the mood very well. A film worth seeing. I expect the full length film to be just as good.
Silence of Bees Review
candyamaldonado5 December 2015
Who knew there was so much to be said about the silence of bees. However, in itself that statement says a lot about silent and subtle pain both literally and metaphorically. The Silence of Bees follows Parker Lam and Alex McKenzie. A father and his daughter on the mend from daily struggles and a family's history. Alex is leaving her father's residence in Barbados to return to her career as a nurse in Flint, Michigan. The loss of her mother, her broken family, and choice to run away from her father's bestowed destiny has led her to this place. The two of them have unspoken words despite the unbroken bond the two of them share for one another. The dialogue between the two characters is direct and contains a lot of subtext exposed through references of past events that still linger. After watching the film, something about it seems off, but I can't put my finger on it. I think it's a combination of acting technique and editing. However, where the film is weak in some areas it is strong in others. I think at the end of the day the script was well written and could be executed in a more convincing and compelling way so the characters and story really resonate with the audience. I was surprised to find that the two actors had appeared on the same series in the past and may have possibly worked together because the comfort level between the character's relationship didn't really translate. In addition to writing, I really enjoyed the cinematography and filming of The Silence of Bees. I liked the images and back story created by different close ups of Alex and long shots of the Caribbean. Overall, I really liked The Silence of Bees and appreciated the approach this particular group of collaborators chose.
Great short film with much emotion
rokug2 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
After reading the script, the film felt much longer than I anticipated. I think this is due to the highly emotional dialogue and pauses between the two. The film shines light on a very important life lesson. Many times we want to strive in the footsteps of our parents. Often times we do this out of love. But when we don't, sometimes its hard to realize that we choose a different path because we are afraid that we wont live up to what our parents are or were. And having a love for them, we never want to disappoint them. In the film, we can see the struggle for Alex and Parker to find common ground and express their feelings for one another. Even though the respect, love, admiration and appreciation between the two is apparent in dialouge and non-verbal cues, we never hear them express these feelings aloud. Personally I think this is far too true unfortunately now a days. Somedays we think we're too old or professional or cool to express our feelings and emotions. Sometimes we don't want to hear it from others because we are afraid of the awkwardness that may rise. The message given from the film is enough to give it a watch. That combined with the dialouge, the lighting, music, and scenery are even more reason that this film deserves a view and all the awards to which it has been credited with.
Thoughts
krystalyna4154 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The Silence of Bees started off OK with the showing of the time setting, but I didn't think the lighting of the sun setting and the next close up shot of the leaves and a bee went together. The shot with the bee looked much brighter than it should have.
Sharon Garnier plays a perfect Alex because she has the right uptight look and conflicting emotions between Alex's father, Parker, played by Jim Beaver, who also played his character well. The father-daughter relationship seemed very real. In the beginning, Alex seems like she no longer cares to be living with her father and responds to her father's questions in a tight way, but towards the end, she begins to feel more appreciated and loved by her father.
Because this was a very short film (17 minutes), I felt it left me with many unanswered questions, but I also believe there was enough depth to the two characters that made the film watchable and not boring.
Sharon Garnier plays a perfect Alex because she has the right uptight look and conflicting emotions between Alex's father, Parker, played by Jim Beaver, who also played his character well. The father-daughter relationship seemed very real. In the beginning, Alex seems like she no longer cares to be living with her father and responds to her father's questions in a tight way, but towards the end, she begins to feel more appreciated and loved by her father.
Because this was a very short film (17 minutes), I felt it left me with many unanswered questions, but I also believe there was enough depth to the two characters that made the film watchable and not boring.
The Silence of Bees Review
pospisiljordan3 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I have not seen many short films so I am unfamiliar with the sort of standards these films need to meet in order to be categorized as "successful". Having said that, I strongly believe that The Silence of the Bees (2008) is a decent film and well written! Even though it appears that the budget for this film was small, the cast and crew did a beautiful job with the completion of this film given the resources that they had. I did not know who Jim Beaver or Sharon Garnier were until I researched more about them. I think I would have chosen a different female lead for the role of Alex but regardless, I think they both did a nice job at portraying a complicated father/daughter relationship. For the most part, they both showed the right amounts of emotion; I think that Sharon Garnier was a little too over dramatic sometimes but both still did a good job at making their roles believable. The story itself left me hanging because I wish I could have seen a little more backstory on these characters lives including Alex's mother and her previous boyfriend, Harry. I think it would have been interesting to have seen snippets of the show or at least the episode Alex's father was talking about so that I could better understand why he believes Harry did a poor job at depicting Alex. I also would have liked to have learned how and why Alex and her father's relationship is so strained and what kind of man Alex's father was before her mother left. Even though I would have liked to have seen more of the history between these two characters, I still feel that I got a good enough idea of who they are and how they contribute to the overall story.
A reel Stinger!
mmork9 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Ironically, there are many things not said in life because of their irony. This movie is a well-composed multi layered web of undertones. When digging deeper in to its hidden meaning the consequence of everything painted on the canvas we call life, is clearly visible. In The Silence of Bees, there are, ironically, all the components of drama without any particular drama played out. The capture and the progression of this short is a masterpiece with its thought provoking capabilities.
As we push play, the film rolls right into its soothing scenery of serene beach front property of Barbados. The camera is hanging long enough for anyone to develop the "why not there" thought. The writer of this script has her geographical preference sorted out, maybe even on a personal level. This scene is creating ambiance well, and as the set composes its, Indiana Jones tunes with its mysticism. It is staring at the viewer in a natural way leaving much room for speculative thought and is raising the bar some for the audience that is not shy of peeling off a few more layers.
Both characters in this film do a great job of portraying deep relational issues from the past. Parker, the father and writer, sets the pace from the first scene with his Stone Age typewriter and the ever present bottle of rum (if the film was longer he would have been drunk) that he is chugging, maybe a little too often for healthy. Alex, the daughter, and ex-writer now a nurse, enters the film in her stunning beauty. She portrays a fragile yet determined but somewhat uncertain character with a lot of pain, regret and a silent plea for a second chance to her dream.
Both characters are dreamers. Both charters are carrying regret. Parker looks back at his life with disappointment for not being enough, not enough father and not enough husband. His wife, Alex's mother, left, probably a long time ago, this is not clear but could be because of parkers stated interest in women together with his career as a writer consuming him and has been for a long time; Alex makes reference to her dad's many books that has had a great impact on humanity. She does this as an emphasis to herself and her current occupation as a nurse, while stating that it is not much but it has some impact on her surroundings. In addition, it gives her the instant gratification that she was unable to get in her earlier attempt at walking in her father's footsteps, writing.
The battle between the characters is present on many levels. It plays out in an almost juvenile fashion. Although when you get old or older, it is called cynicism. Alex father is using his well-developed cynical personality as a cover for his inability to kill the beast that has him captured in the cage of "too late," even when putting his desire for Alex to write on paper, handing her a note, with the motivation; "Read this 15 years after I am dead." During this scene there is little to no movement, as a matter of a fact there is not any movement of Parkers character until the end where he is dropping his bottle on the ground stating that he is now drunk.
The two supporting characters in this story, Alex's husband and her brother, are placed very cleverly. Her husband is working as a doctor in Flint, Michigan. Her brother, Harry, is portrayed as somebody to reckon with within TV and subsequently very successful as Parker is referring to having recorded every episode of Harry production. This is also feeding those undercurrents of a damaged self-confidence perhaps with both Alex and Parker but especially with Alex and it might have opened the door for Parker to prefer one over the other.
The ending of this very tastefully well-balanced layered production puts a twist in everyone's mind that has ever experienced any kind of flawed family relationship. This film with its slightly fogged up mirror effect is a definite must to see. Love conquers all, and no matter how great the need is to leave, there is always time to silently stay another day. Who knows, there might even be a stinger to pull, as long as we do not say it just to say it. M
As we push play, the film rolls right into its soothing scenery of serene beach front property of Barbados. The camera is hanging long enough for anyone to develop the "why not there" thought. The writer of this script has her geographical preference sorted out, maybe even on a personal level. This scene is creating ambiance well, and as the set composes its, Indiana Jones tunes with its mysticism. It is staring at the viewer in a natural way leaving much room for speculative thought and is raising the bar some for the audience that is not shy of peeling off a few more layers.
Both characters in this film do a great job of portraying deep relational issues from the past. Parker, the father and writer, sets the pace from the first scene with his Stone Age typewriter and the ever present bottle of rum (if the film was longer he would have been drunk) that he is chugging, maybe a little too often for healthy. Alex, the daughter, and ex-writer now a nurse, enters the film in her stunning beauty. She portrays a fragile yet determined but somewhat uncertain character with a lot of pain, regret and a silent plea for a second chance to her dream.
Both characters are dreamers. Both charters are carrying regret. Parker looks back at his life with disappointment for not being enough, not enough father and not enough husband. His wife, Alex's mother, left, probably a long time ago, this is not clear but could be because of parkers stated interest in women together with his career as a writer consuming him and has been for a long time; Alex makes reference to her dad's many books that has had a great impact on humanity. She does this as an emphasis to herself and her current occupation as a nurse, while stating that it is not much but it has some impact on her surroundings. In addition, it gives her the instant gratification that she was unable to get in her earlier attempt at walking in her father's footsteps, writing.
The battle between the characters is present on many levels. It plays out in an almost juvenile fashion. Although when you get old or older, it is called cynicism. Alex father is using his well-developed cynical personality as a cover for his inability to kill the beast that has him captured in the cage of "too late," even when putting his desire for Alex to write on paper, handing her a note, with the motivation; "Read this 15 years after I am dead." During this scene there is little to no movement, as a matter of a fact there is not any movement of Parkers character until the end where he is dropping his bottle on the ground stating that he is now drunk.
The two supporting characters in this story, Alex's husband and her brother, are placed very cleverly. Her husband is working as a doctor in Flint, Michigan. Her brother, Harry, is portrayed as somebody to reckon with within TV and subsequently very successful as Parker is referring to having recorded every episode of Harry production. This is also feeding those undercurrents of a damaged self-confidence perhaps with both Alex and Parker but especially with Alex and it might have opened the door for Parker to prefer one over the other.
The ending of this very tastefully well-balanced layered production puts a twist in everyone's mind that has ever experienced any kind of flawed family relationship. This film with its slightly fogged up mirror effect is a definite must to see. Love conquers all, and no matter how great the need is to leave, there is always time to silently stay another day. Who knows, there might even be a stinger to pull, as long as we do not say it just to say it. M
Movie Review click to see more!
jennx243 November 2008
The Silence of Bees clip, which is an excerpt of a possible film in development, despite the relatively low production values compared to many modern Hollywood is surprisingly high in quality. This can be attributed to not only the care that the production team and actors put into it, but mainly displays the strength of the screenplay. Even though it may take place in some faraway location like Barbados, the themes still manage to hit close to home. The strained relationship between Beaver and Garnier's characters is very realistic and very well portrayed by both actors. Beaver is a writer who can only express his feelings in words to his daughter through his work; however, there is a subtlety about his drunken typing that he was able to accurately portray and the underlying communication that is going on between them. This is only a prologue of the entire work that was unable to and is needed to be filmed. Maybe the film is too cerebral for its subject matter to be able to find a Hollywood audience, which is the real shame. Hollywood doesn't make deep films about family interactions. It makes Greek weddings or family road trips with Ice Cube and the kids. Hopefully this movie does not end up in the back of a filing cabinet with the rest of the great screenplays belong.
Silence of the Bees
iamangeladuong12 December 2010
After viewing it explore what the films strengths and weaknesses are. Be specific. Sound as if you really studied the film and make intelligent criticisms, both positive and negative. Silence of the Bees was a clean short film, however it was a little difficult for me to get into the film. At the beginning of the film, it felt like I had missed an important scene. There was no background information about the characters, how they had got to the house, and their relationship with each other. Other than that, the film had a very good story to it. The film displayed a relationship that was full of tension between a father and daughter. The background music used in the film, was excellent, it help make some of the scenes more intense.
Overall, good movie
jazzyj12284 December 2011
After viewing the film, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. The acting was very good, I especially enjoyed the performance done by Sharon Garnier. The scene was put together really nicely and the shots had significance. The two actors dynamic was on point, it did seem as though they were father and daughter who hadn't had the best relationship. It was a little cheesy and seemed to go too fast for a real connection though, the emotion was portrayed well by the actors but it seemed almost like a soap opera shot. The film seemed to move very quickly, and it was hard to make a complete connection with the story and the characters, but seeing that it was a short film I do believe that they did a good job with this problem. The sound effects were nicely placed, the sound of the typewriter was very clear even when the camera was inside and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sound of the crickets in the background when they were talking was very fitting and added to the mood of the film. Overall, I enjoyed the film and thought that it provoked deep emotions that are connectible to anyone.
Acting
islandboy0233 November 2008
Silence of Bees is a short story about a father and daughter and the relationship that they share. Overall the acting of the film was good in some parts but lacked in others. The man Jim Beaver who plays the father Parker Lam I personally thought acted phenomenal throughout the short film. He really set that mood as the accomplished writer and father figure. When Jim leans back and a swig and starts talking about how the word happy sounds funny it really seemed as if he was drunk. The woman Sharon Garnier who plays the daughter Alex McKenzie I thought acted just as well or even better. Parts such as such as when she begins crying after her father gives her the note was really convincing. The best part of the short film would have to be the little scene when Lam gets so called "stung by the bee" and Sharon runs over to check him out then shares a drink with him. Throughout the film the scenery was perfect for the dialog between Parker and Sharon because of so many different things. One being the lighting with the time of day and also the candles make it seem more realistic. Everything really seemed to come together from beginning to end. Good short film.
Great short that explores a messy father daughter relationship!!!
jordanguardamagni2 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I would encourage everyone to watch the preview first, and if you like it than you will love this short film. The film features two actors (Sharon Garner and Jim Beaver) who have had a colorful career in both TV and movies, and it seems both have valued theater acting which shows in the film. Producers/directors/writers (Joanna Perry-Folino, P Kelly and Andrew Traister) simply wanted to tell a story, a strong resonating story of a family divided by differences that are actually similarities. This is a nationwide epidemic, and in this film it really showcases the unfortunate life of many broken families. The film "The Silence of Bee's) really lived up to its name. This short was able to showcase a lifelong disconnect between a father and daughter, but the death of a family member and similarities bring them together. Although they both have a hard time reconnecting it seems that both are connecting, not face to face, but soul to soul. One thing this film did not lack was substance, it is a deep 17minute drama that is an accurate display of a disconnected family. Thankfully the acting in this film was fantastic and extremely realistic allowing us to connect with the characters. Overall the film was very well put together, gave us a resonating story and was an accurate portrayal of a common problem to say the least.
My Review
domfosho925 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The film, The Silence of Bees was an interesting yet excellent short film that focused on the relationship between father and daughter. Initially I expected more dialogue and plot within this film but it felt more like a scene in a full feature length movie. Then again this is a short film so there's not much information incorporated due to time constraints. However, I would have to say this short-film was done fairly well and the actors did a tremendous job in playing their roles. Jim Beaver who has starred in numerous television shows such as Supernatural and Justified was outstanding as the father/author Parker Lam. Sharon Garnier who played the role of the daughter, Alex McKenzie is known for her work in the television series Deadwood. Although there were only two actors involved in this film, I felt a strong connection with both the father and daughter because I could relate to their struggles with my personal life. Some of the film's strengths include the actors and the screenplay. The actors did an excellent job in making the characters relatable while the screenplay was well written. A weakness includes the cinematography because I felt it was quite rudimentary compared to other similar budget films. There could've been better shots and lighting done to capture the scenes. The end scene was a cliffhanger because as the audience we're not sure what had happened to the father. The film concluded with a close-up shot of the rum bottle that was prominent throughout the majority of the film. We were left with many unanswered questions and the conclusion was left for the audience to decide. The only down side was the film left a few unanswered questions. Overall, the film was excellent and I enjoyed watching it.
The Silence of Bees
marisela_0710 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The preview does pull you in the picture because it gives you the beautiful imagery of the place and it gives you just the right information to let you know what the movie will be about, but not all the details. It creates the curiosity to watch it; since you want to know more about why she acts the way she does along with her father.
The cast and crew were well chosen. Starting with the director Andrew J. Traister who just recently did a production that was chosen as Los Angeles Times critics' choice. He is talented and has been working with several companies across the country. The screen-writer and also producer of this film is Joanna Perry-Folino who is a playwright, screenwriter, and producer. She has produced over 15 plays and other productions. She wrote The Silence of Bees and has won prestigious awards. This film also includes excellent actors such as Jim Beaver, who is a playwright, film historian, screen-writer, and television actor as well as other things. He is very talented and is very well-known. Sharon Garnier who played Alex Mckenzie is also very talented and has appeared on television and films. The producer and director of photography for this film was Pete Kelley who has over 25 years of experience. Derek Beauchemin was the film and sound editor. He is a producer, musician, and a writer. The composer was Carl Johnson who is an Emmy Award-winning composer who has written music for many famous movies like Hunchback of Notre Dame II and Aladdin and the King of Thieves. Lastly, Dan O'Day McClellan was the assistant director and production coordinator. He has over 15 years of experience as actor, writer, producer, and comedian. He used to work in the animated TV show The Simpsons when he used to live in Los Angeles. The whole cast and crew has lots of experience and they brought their talents to this film.
A strength this film has is the characters because they develop as the film continues. Father and daughter are not connecting quite well, but as the film continues they start to change their views and understand each other realizing it might be the last time they will be able to connect and show that they really care about each other. The daughter tries to break the bond between them but she is unsuccessful. Another strength is that it is an excellent film even though is a short film. It is well done and developed since you get the whole picture with out the need of more information. The lighting and music were really good too they made the scenes so realistic and in the right environment and the music helped bring the emotions into play. The only weakness I saw was the fact that it was short and even though you don't need more information it could have been better if there were more scenes about their past and future. Other then this I believe this film was really interesting and good.
The cast and crew were well chosen. Starting with the director Andrew J. Traister who just recently did a production that was chosen as Los Angeles Times critics' choice. He is talented and has been working with several companies across the country. The screen-writer and also producer of this film is Joanna Perry-Folino who is a playwright, screenwriter, and producer. She has produced over 15 plays and other productions. She wrote The Silence of Bees and has won prestigious awards. This film also includes excellent actors such as Jim Beaver, who is a playwright, film historian, screen-writer, and television actor as well as other things. He is very talented and is very well-known. Sharon Garnier who played Alex Mckenzie is also very talented and has appeared on television and films. The producer and director of photography for this film was Pete Kelley who has over 25 years of experience. Derek Beauchemin was the film and sound editor. He is a producer, musician, and a writer. The composer was Carl Johnson who is an Emmy Award-winning composer who has written music for many famous movies like Hunchback of Notre Dame II and Aladdin and the King of Thieves. Lastly, Dan O'Day McClellan was the assistant director and production coordinator. He has over 15 years of experience as actor, writer, producer, and comedian. He used to work in the animated TV show The Simpsons when he used to live in Los Angeles. The whole cast and crew has lots of experience and they brought their talents to this film.
A strength this film has is the characters because they develop as the film continues. Father and daughter are not connecting quite well, but as the film continues they start to change their views and understand each other realizing it might be the last time they will be able to connect and show that they really care about each other. The daughter tries to break the bond between them but she is unsuccessful. Another strength is that it is an excellent film even though is a short film. It is well done and developed since you get the whole picture with out the need of more information. The lighting and music were really good too they made the scenes so realistic and in the right environment and the music helped bring the emotions into play. The only weakness I saw was the fact that it was short and even though you don't need more information it could have been better if there were more scenes about their past and future. Other then this I believe this film was really interesting and good.
worth the watch
alvarond14 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This short film was worth the watch and it was nice to see fresh faces because both Jim Beaver and Sharon Garnier were unknown to me despite their work in HBO's Deadwood. I liked Jim Beaver in this film he seemed really comfortable in the estranged father role. Sharon Garnier on the other hand was not as good. She seemed uncomfortable at times and when she spoke with her father her emotions seemed fake. There were beautiful shots of the island and beach but I envisioned the house a little different after I read the screenplay. I envisioned that the house was right on the beach and the yard was just a bunch of sand with a clear view of the ocean. In the film it looked just like a regular old yard. However I did enjoy the film I liked the father daughter talk that started off simple but escalated into a deep argument about Garnier's character leaving. The father easily could have just taken more swigs of his rum and left her alone but instead he showed genuine emotion and really tried to make peace with her before she left for good.
Good camera work but awkward acting
meganbreannamurray12 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
One of the biggest weaknesses of the film, for me, was the acting . Sharon Garnier, who played Alex, seemed too rehearsed for the scene, and when she "blew up" at her father, it seemed sudden and overblown. It was like turning a perfectly calm conversation into an unnecessary fight. I felt like she wasn't really listening to Jim Beaver, who portrayed her father Parker, in the scene. He was mostly very subdued with his acting, which I believed worked for his character, but Sharon would react by raising her voice and flailing about as if he had done the same thing. She escalated an awkward conversation into a fight without any real reason. It just suddenly happened. It's like they were acting for two completely different versions of the film: Beaver showed a more awkward, laid-back version of their disagreement, while Garnier frequently attempted to elevate the scene to a more dramatic conflict. It was strange and didn't work for me.
I believe one of the film's strengths was the camera work. I enjoyed the lingering close-ups, especially on Jim Beaver as Parker, as they always revealed the hidden or private thoughts of the characters. I watched in fascination as different emotions flitted across Beaver's or Garnier's faces, and the close-ups gave the film an awkward intimacy reflected in the relationship between the father and daughter duo. I also liked the over-the-shoulder shot from early in the film, giving us a view of Parker through the kitchen window. This shot perfectly conveyed the emotional distance between Parker and Alex; they close and yet still so far from each other. The final shot of the rum bottle on the floor was also interesting to me, as it could potentially have many different interpretations. Has Parker given up his excessive drinking because of the possibility of a renewed relationship with his daughter? Is Parker doomed to die because of his alcoholism? This final shot is also interesting because it's not included in the original screenplay and was instead added by the director.
Overall, I enjoyed the /idea/ of the film, but I wouldn't say I enjoyed the film itself. The way the actors' moods clashed really brought me out of the film instead of pulling me in.
I believe one of the film's strengths was the camera work. I enjoyed the lingering close-ups, especially on Jim Beaver as Parker, as they always revealed the hidden or private thoughts of the characters. I watched in fascination as different emotions flitted across Beaver's or Garnier's faces, and the close-ups gave the film an awkward intimacy reflected in the relationship between the father and daughter duo. I also liked the over-the-shoulder shot from early in the film, giving us a view of Parker through the kitchen window. This shot perfectly conveyed the emotional distance between Parker and Alex; they close and yet still so far from each other. The final shot of the rum bottle on the floor was also interesting to me, as it could potentially have many different interpretations. Has Parker given up his excessive drinking because of the possibility of a renewed relationship with his daughter? Is Parker doomed to die because of his alcoholism? This final shot is also interesting because it's not included in the original screenplay and was instead added by the director.
Overall, I enjoyed the /idea/ of the film, but I wouldn't say I enjoyed the film itself. The way the actors' moods clashed really brought me out of the film instead of pulling me in.
Great short film
beachlvrgrl076 April 2009
After reading the screenplay and then watching the film I thought the film was directed very well. I found the beautiful opening images of nature to capturing my attention. I thought the backyard set was way different from what I expected, but in a very good way. I liked how Parker's desk was an actual wooden patio table and bench and how he was surrounded by beautiful flowers. I was initially expecting him to be in a ugly backyard surrounded by weeds and wild flowers. The house was a lot nicer than I thought it would be as well. As for acting, I thought that Jim Beaver did a fantastic job at portraying Parker Lam's character. But I expected Sharon Garnier to be more forward with her father and to have more of an attitude with him, but other than that I thought she did a really good job at playing Alex's character. Overall I thought the movie was great, I thought the ending was a little misleading because you really have no idea what was going on when the bottle falls to the ground and liquor starts pouring out. I found the movie to be very touching at moments especially when Alex read the card aloud that her father gave her, that said he loved her the best he could and hoped that was enough. It was a great 17 minute film that exceeded my expectations.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
