In the summer of 2021, Türkiye endured one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in its history. Forests burned, communities came under threat and livelihoods deeply rooted in the land were thrown into doubt.
From Ashes tells two stories from the front lines of that disaster. In the pine forests of Mugla, the fires have placed a centuries-old honey-making tradition at risk, endangering the delicate natural relationship that makes Türkiye’s distinctive pine honey possible. In the mountain village of Ormana, residents recount how local knowledge, swift action and collective strength helped them confront the flames.
Moving from the immediacy of the fire to the long work of recovery, the films follow people determined to protect far more than their homes. They are defending ecosystems, livelihoods, traditions and an entire way of life. Their experiences offer a timely and ultimately hopeful portrait of resilience in a warming Mediterranean—and of what it may mean for communities everywhere to live with fire, rather than simply fight it.
Films:
Land of the Honey Bug — 1 × 72′
Across the scorched pine forests of Mugla, the future of Türkiye’s prized pine honey hangs in the balance. Its production depends on an extraordinary natural relationship between pine trees, honeybees and a tiny scale insect known locally as the honey bug. As beekeepers face the loss of both forest and livelihood, they search for a way to restore the fragile ecology that has sustained their communities for generations.
The Mountainside of Ormana — 1 × 53′
When wildfire closes in on Ormana, an 800-year-old village in Türkiye’s Taurus Mountains, its residents draw on generations of local knowledge and act together to protect their home. Their story reveals how a close-knit community can prepare for fire, respond when disaster strikes and begin rebuilding without losing the traditions that bind its people to the land.