Several years ago, Isabella Rossellini donned arts-and-crafts costumes to explain the mating habits of animals in Green Porno, the acclaimed series of short films that she produced for the Sundance Channel. Now, she's back in costume to discuss the plight of honey bees and the arise of colony collapse disorder (CCD), a mysterious natural phenomenon that has led to the disappearance of countless honey bees, in a new video series from Burt's Bees.
The series, titled "Burt Talks to the Bees," was released this week, just in time for Pollinator Week, which takes place from June 18-24. The short films were written and produced by Rossellini, and it features the filmmaker in many roles: the worker bee, the queen bee, the drone bee, and even as Burt himself.
Scientists are still unclear about the cause of CCD, but theories include increased levels of pesticides in the air; the presence of a new parasite or pathogen that is attacking the bees; and higher levels of existing stresses like poor diet and contaminated water. Though the disorder has not yet caused a major threat to pollination cycles, agricultural specialists are keeping a close eye on the issue in order to prevent crisis.
To learn more about the plight of honey bees, watch the full series here.