All over the world bees have been dying for the past three years. Although the causes for this are still a mystery, one thing is already clear: there is more at stake than simply a few dead insects, and a great deal more than just honey. The documentary film "More than Honey" directed by the Swiss filmmaker Markus Imhoof embarks the viewer on a journey to meet with people whose lives depend on bees, and reports on how bees are vanishing.
The film won among numerous other prizes the Swiss Film Award in 2013, the Audience Award at the UK Green Film Festivals in the same year and was submitted for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards.
Alongside "More than Honey", the Festival also includes the screening of the feature film "Paradise War – Rhe Story of Bruno Manser" which is based on a true story. The Swiss ethnologist Bruno Manser was one of the most renowned and credible environmental activists of his time. During his travel to the jungle of Borneo in 1984 on the search for an experience beyond modern civilisation, his life changes forever. When the existence of the indigenous people Penan is threatened by relentless deforestation, Manser takes up the fight against logging with courage and determination.
"Paradise War – The Story of Bruno Manser" directed by Niklaus Hilber was presented in several festivals in Switzerland and honored among other prizes with the Science Film Award at the Zurich Film Festival 2019. The film will be presented in Amman for the first time on 4 August 2021 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7.30 p.m.).
In addition, the Tribute to Nature Festival will also host an exhibition called "Can Tech Save the World?" showcasing twenty innovative solutions developed in Switzerland to protect the environment and make our societies more resilient. The aim of the exhibition, which has already been presented in various cities around the globe as well as in Aqaba last month, is to create dialogue and accelerate the sharing of solutions around five major environmental challenges. Access to quality water, waste recovery, maintenance of biodiversity, access to energy for all and carbon-free mobility are the key topics being highlighted at the exhibition. In Amman, "Can Tech Save the World?" will be exhibited at the outdoor premises of the Royal Film Commission in Jabal Amman from 28 July until 7 August 2021.
The Tribute to Nature Festival will be launched on Wednesday, 28 July, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7.30 p.m.) with the screening of the film "More than Honey". The documentary will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Yehya Khaled, Director General of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Dr. Nizar Haddad, General Director of the National Agricultural Research Center, Prof. Said Ahmad Damhoureyeh, Regional Councilor at the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Mr. Andreas Koenig, President of the Aargau Beekeepers' Association in Switzerland.
The Festival is supported by Presence Switzerland, the agency of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs responsible for promoting Switzerland’s image abroad.
All events are free of charge and open to the public. Spaces are limited. COVID-19 safety measures apply.
Event schedule (all events take place at the premises of the Royal Film Commission):
- "More than Honey", by Markus Imhoof, 2012 – 28 July, 8 p.m. followed by a panel discussion
- "Paradise War - The Story of Bruno Manser", by Niklaus Hilber, 2019 – 4 August, 8 p.m.
- "Can Tech Save the World" exhibition, by Presence Switzerland – 28 July – 7 August 2021
