The Secret Life of Bees is an incredibly moving tale of a teenager's search for her mother's past. Set in the rural south in 1964, Lily (Dakota Fanning) lives a tormented life of abuse by her father (Paul Bettany). She flees with her housekeeper, Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), to a honey farm owned by the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys). The wondrous farm is where her mother sought refuge from her father. Lily discovers her mother and life's harsh truths amongst the bees.

I cried like a baby in this movie. And I'm talking real tears, not a few drips, but an actual torrent - like someone turned on a faucet in my eyes. It is a beautiful, but sad story of discovery that caught me totally off guard. Writer/Director Gina Prince-Bythewood adapts the novel by Sue Monk Kidd with great distinction. It's not sappy, far from it actually, but filled with the kind of realistic heartbreak that hits you right in the gut. Sophie Okonedo and Dakota Fanning may get Oscar nominations for their superb performances. Check out our interviews below with Sophie and Gina as they discuss working on this tremendous film.

The Secret Life of Bees hits theaters October 17th.