MEDIA > ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS > 2008

THE BUZZ ABOUT THE BEES
from Robesonian, January 14, 2008
by Mark Locklear
LUMBERTON — Talk of a major motion picture, “The Secret Life of Bees,” being filmed in Lumberton was handled much like its title suggests — as a secret. But the buzz about the “Bees” eventually got out as folks wondered if Robeson County had gone Hollywood.

Ava DuVernay, the film’s publicist, confirmed that more than 100 cast and crew arrived in Lumberton on Wednesday and wrapped up shooting Sunday night. While DuVernay couldn’t confirm which major stars were on set, Geraldine Herring did. Herring and her husband, Roy, operate a 20-acre peach orchard off N.C. 41 which was used as a backdrop.

Herring said that Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson were all at the N.C. 41 location at some point, as where Hilarie Burton, Paul Bettany and Tristian Wilds. The movie also features Queen Latifah and Sophie Okonedo, but Herring never saw them.

“It was very exciting,” said Herring, who was invited on the set. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime deal. The only drawback was the unwelcome attention. We did have some trespassers, even though we had signs posted. The production crew hoped to keep it as low key as possible, but that didn’t happen.”

Herring got a chance to meet Fanning, the 14-year-old child actress best known for her roles in “War of the Worlds,” “Man on Fire” and “Charlotte’s Web.”

“She was very pleasant and well-mannered,” Herring said. “She was very appreciative to be on our location. She said she likes Cheerwine and the Food Network.”

Herring and her children, Brooke and Brandon, watched the filming of one of the scenes.

“It was quite cool,” she said.

Herring said that after word got around, there was constant traffic on the dirt road that leads to the farm, which is just north of Littlefield Middle School.

Herring said a lot of the locals inquired about being an extra. However, DuVernay said not many extras were needed for the scene in Lumberton. but some people from Wilmington were used.

Eight trailers were parked on the farm, but Herring said the cast and crew spent the night at local hotels, including the Holiday Inn. There were sightings of Bettany and Fanning eating at Outback Steakhouse.

The film is an adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd’s best-selling novel with the same name as the movie. Set in South Carolina in 1964, the story centers on Lily Owens (Fanning), who escapes her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father by running away with her caregiver and only friend (played by Hudson) to a South Carolina town where they are taken in by an eccentric trio of beekeeping sisters (played by Latifah, Okonedo and Keys).

One of the first scenes is set in a peach orchard in South Carolina.

“The gorgeous peach groves, lush landscapes and skilled film community drew us to this region, and we’ve been welcomed with open arms,” DuVernay said.

Herring said a location agent contacted her three months ago and questioned her about her orchard, which boasts 2,200 peach trees.

“They started in New Hanover County looking for a peach orchard and then searched in Columbus County, where they got in touch with an agricultural extension agent who happens to work part-time in Robeson County. He knew about our orchard and that’s how they ended up here.”

“They were astonished by the volume and size of the trees,” Herring said.

Artificial peach trees were planted near an old farm house, and fake peaches hung from the trees like Christmas ornaments. Herring’s orchard was used as a backdrop. Although there is no fruit on the trees, Herring said the trees would come alive during the editing of the film.

Herring said Thomas Russ, who lives alone in the farm house, was put up for a week in a hotel. The house was completely renovated and furniture and appliances from the 1950s were brought in, Herring said. She said the house, which received new carpet, will be returned as it was after the crew leaves. Russ couldn’t be reached.

Herring said huge flood lights were set up at night as filming sometimes lasted 15 to 18 hours during a single day.

“It was very exciting to have something like this to happen here,” Herring said.

“The Secret Life of Bees” is set to hit theaters in 2009. Herring hopes that her farm is mentioned in the film’s credits.

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