Based on the bestselling novel by Myla Goldberg, BEE SEASON follows a family of seekers, each of whom is looking to God, transcendence, or love, in their search for something greater than themselves. Eleven-year-old Eliza Nauman (Flora Cross in a promising debut) is on her way to becoming the national spelling bee champion, much to the delight of her heretofore somewhat dismissive father, Saul (Richard Gere). A professor of religion who wrote his thesis on Jewish mysticism, Saul has previously shown more interest in Eliza's older brother, Aaron (Max Minghella), a serious-minded young scholar and cello player. In what soon becomes clear is his customary manner, Saul takes control of Eliza's spelling career, and focuses on her to the exclusion of the rest of his family. Meanwhile, his wife, Miriam (Juliette Binoche), is quietly facing a spiritual crisis, and unbeknownst to her family is engaging in petty thievery in her quest for beauty and salvation. Saul is unwilling to admit that anything is wrong-and thus out of his control-while the unmoored Aaron turns to the beatific Chali (Kate Bosworth), a hare Krishna, for spiritual sustenance and comfort. As Saul attempts to tap Eliza's uncanny knack with words and create a pipeline to God according to the tenets of an ancient Kabbalah scholar, Eliza blames herself for everyone's troubles. As the final competition draws nigh and the family disintegrates, however, it might just be that Eliza is the only one who can save them.

Theatrical Release: November 11, 2005

DVD Features:

Keep Case
Dual Side
Audio:
Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - Spanish
Subtitles - English, Spanish, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Fox Searchlight Trailers
2. IN HER SHOES
3. LITTLE MANHATTAN
Disc 1/Side A: BEE SEASON - Full Frame Version
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes - Cutting Room Floor Featurette
Featurette - "The Essence of BEE SEASON"
Trailers - Theatrical Trailer
Disc 1/Side B: BEE SEASON - Widescreen Version
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio Commentary - 1. Scott McGehee, David Siegel - Directors
2. Albert Berger - Producer, Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal - Screenwriter
Behind the Scenes - Making of Featurette
Deleted Scenes - Optional Commentary by Scott McGehee, David Siegel - Directors

Richard Gere: American Actor - An Officer and a Gentleman/Pretty Woman
Juliette Binoche: French Actress, CHOCOLAT (2000)
Kate Bosworth: REMEMBER THE TITANS

Scott McGehee: Director/"Suture"

"BEE SEASON shows a fondness for photographing things that shimmer -- letters in the air, crystals. The movie works earnestly to transform unfamiliar concepts of philosophy..." -- Grade: B-
"Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel are elegant filmmakers who construct an intricate narrative without sacrificing emotional intensity."
"BEE SEASON is worthy of both attention and affection....It's a genuinely felt, finely made movie..."
"[The directors] handle this delicate, intense and intricate story of family disintegration and spiritual meltdown with enviable dexterity and emotional acuity."
"[A] complex story of family turmoil and the search for spiritual meaning....Based on the captivating novel by Myla Goldberg, BEE SEASON is evocative and superbly acted."