Bee Season (2005)

Directors:

Scott McGehee
David Siegel

Writers (WGA):

Myla Goldberg (novel)
Naomi Foner (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 November 2005 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Words may define us, but it's love that connects us.

Plot:

A wife and mother begins a downward emotional spiral, as her husband avoids their collapsing marriage by immersing himself in his 11 year-old daughter's quest to become a spelling bee champion.

Plot Keywords:

Competition | Alphabet | San Francisco California | Oakland Tribune | Talmud

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Richard Gere	...	Saul
Juliette Binoche	...	Miriam
Flora Cross	...	Eliza
Max Minghella	...	Aaron
Kate Bosworth	...	Chali
Corey Fischer	...	National Spelling Bee Pronouncer
Sam Zuckerman	...	National Spelling Bee Judge
Joan Mankin	...	Ms. Bergermeyer
Piers Mackenzie	...	Dr. Morris
Lorri Holt	...	Ms. Rai
Brian Leonard	...	Mr. Julien
Jamal Thornes	...	Wiseacre Boy's Mate
Kathy McGraw	...	Regional Bee Pronouncer
John Evans	...	Regional Bee Judge
Alisha Mullally	...	Young Miriam

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, a scene of sensuality and brief strong language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:LH (video rating) | South Korea:12 | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Sweden:Btl | Canada:14A (Ontario) | France:U | Singapore:NC-16 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40910) | Finland:K-7 | Brazil:12 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:AL | UK:12A

Filming Locations:

1075 Mariposa Ave., Berkeley, California, USA

Company:

Bee Season Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Jonathan Murphy auditioned for the part of Aaron Naumann.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Aaron goes to Church, after the priest says "This is the Lamb of God...etc" Catholics should answer: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed". People in the Church do not respond to the priest, but go directly to receive Communion, and it is very clear that the ceremony going on is Catholic

Quotes:

Saul: There are people who believe that letters are an expression of a very special primal energy and when they combine to make words they hold all the secrets of the universe...
Saul: Remember the Vikings?
Saul: [Takes a green apple] Ok, Vikings called this "aepli".
Saul: Now when they took it across the sea in their ships it became "apfel".
Saul: Crossed another border, it became "appel".
Saul: By the time it got to us it was "apple".
Saul: Its spelling contains all of that.
Saul: It holds its history inside it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee: (2005-11-14)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Partita in D Minor BWV 1004 Chaccone

the real source of inspiration that drives us

This film really packs a wallop. I didn't know what to expect, and I am glad, because I was open to whatever it would end up being. The spelling bee is really just a metaphor for what it is that we all like doing, and that we do well. It's about the real source of inspiration that drives us, if we are open enough to let it flow through us. It touches on how 'now' is the gift, if only we perceive it so. The divinity is really something to embrace, love and respect.

With amazingly fresh visuals, wonderful acting and great directing, this film is to all involved what the spelling bee is to the young girl- a tool to experience the divine presence. I am grateful for this film.