der imker
Der Imker hits Berlin cinemas January 30.
To escape political persecution, a Kurdish man keeps hiding and altering his documents, staving off impermanence by keeping bees: the only constant in his life and one that he takes with him when he escapes to Europe. The film could have taken deeper issue with the plight of refugees and the storytelling remains slow and recurrent. But the in-depth presentation of a highly likeable protagonist, supplemented by a great musical score, adds up to an enjoyable experience after all.
Der Imker | Directed by Mano Khalil (Switzerland 2013) with Ibrahim Gezer, Max Wyrsch. Starts January 30
Originally published in issue #124, February 2014.