This stylish adaptation of the Fiona Shaw novel is a story of courage in the face of blatant intolerance, but also of love, which often comes when we least expect it. This sentiment is present in Annabel Jankel’s film on more than one level. The action of Tell It to the Bees unfolds in the post-war reality of a small British town. Abandoned by her husband, Lydia finds herself in an increasingly difficult situation. Her modest income isn’t enough to cover the rent, and her son keeps getting bullied at school. One such incident ends with a visit to Jean, a young doctor who has recently returned to town. A connection is forged between the boy and the doctor, centred around the bee colony Lydia keeps. When Lydia and Charlie are evicted, Jean takes them in. But this humane gesture is not well accepted by the local community, which generally treats the doctor with a degree of reserve, if not downright hostility. The strength of Jankel's film lies in great performances by Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger, filmed with the skilful eye of young Polish cinematographer Bartosz Nalazek.