Burt's Buzz

Burt's Buzz is a captivating and enlightening 2013 documentary film directed by Jody Shapiro, that explores the enigmatic life of Burt Shavitz, the amiable hermit and non-conformist founder and face of the multimillion-dollar personal care products company "Burt's Bees".

This biographical documentary probes into the cloistered life of Burt Shavitz, the man behind the successful natural cosmetics brand "Burt's Bees". Offering a blend of interviews, archival footage, and intimate moments from Shavitz's rural Maine lifestyle, the film paints a picture of a man who is as fascinating as he is enigmatic.

Burt's Buzz delves deep into Shavitz's ascent from a small-scale honey salesman to the co-founder of a global brand. The movie reveals the bizarre journey that led him from being a New York City photojournalist capturing poignant images of civil-rights protests, to living off the grid in an 8x8 turkey coop with no running water or electricity in Maine, to ultimately becoming the figurehead of a renowned international brand. It unveils an intensely independent, eccentric, and peculiar individual, who traded the hustle and bustle of New York City for a more natural and remote lifestyle, long before such a move became fashionable.

The film masterfully highlights the contradictions inherent in Shavitz's life. Despite being the face of a brand that promotes their origin story and Shavitz's image with equal fervor, he remained largely detached from the business. He appears far more interested in living his solitary, rural life than even in the brand that bears his name and image. Concurrently, the audience also gets glimpses of the other end of the spectrum, where Burt’s Bees corporate handlers package and present Shavitz’s image for their brand building. This stark contrast underlines the dichotomy of Burt's life.

Shapiro brilliantly balances these disparate elements with the occasional injection of humor. There are subtle, yet humorous moments, displayed in a scene where Burt works a convention booth or engages in scripted PR exercises. The simple, yet profoundly intimate portrayal of Shavitz also offers some surprising insights into the man’s personality, making Burt's Buzz a delightful, as well as a touching viewing experience.

From the simplicity and solitude of his hermit-like existence, to the intriguing complexity of his professional and personal history, to the broad international appeal of " Burt's Bees," the film provides an all-encompassing glimpse into Shavitz's life. In addition to focusing on the man himself, Burt's Buzz also reflects on the larger issue of how society places value on imagery and marketing, as it recounts Shavitz's unusual journey to accidental entrepreneurship.

Running for approximately 88 minutes, Burt's Buzz is neither too short to be considered fleeting nor too long to be monotonous; instead, it allows an appropriate amount of time to present the life and personality of this unlikely celebrity. The film's smooth storyline is accompanied by controlled direction and skilled editing, which results in an immaculately constructed chronicle of an exceptionally individualistic man.

The documentary is commendable for portraying the charm of Shavitz’s eccentricity and his almost zen-like peace with his introverted existence. It leaves viewers to ponder over the unconventional life of the unlikely icon and the branding gimmick that made him a household face, meanwhile also offering a mirror to reflect on societal values.

Burt's Buzz is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, fans of "Burt's Bees", nature lovers, and anyone intrigued by unique and introspective life stories. At its heart, Burt's Buzz is an exploration of an unconventional life lived on one's own terms. This film reminds us, in a humbling yet spellbinding manner, of the many forms success can take.