In this illuminating and artistic documentary from Alia Yunis, we follow the history and relationship between olive trees and the Mediterranean people, a relationship going back thousands of years. A love letter to a staple ingredient in global cuisine and the people that keep the industry going, The Golden Harvest includes a revelatory exploration into the evolving environments, societies and demographics of the European and Middle Eastern regions where the trees reside. Exploring rarely discussed cultural and environmental costs involved with the production of the trees’ prized oil, the film expertly balances its documentary aspects with its unbridled love for the tree and its history. Featuring a diverse range of interviews from those who know and love the olive tree, Yunis' doc is a lovingly crafted tribute that is not to be missed.
Alia Yunis is a multi-talented filmmaker, teacher and writer. Her debut novel, The Night Counter, was published by Crown/Random House in 2012. She is also on the faculty of Zayed University in Abu Dhabi.