Past screening

Winter Nomads

Directed by: Manuel von Stürler
Runtime: 1hr 30min Year: 2012
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Details

Directed by: Manuel von Stürler
Runtime: 1hr 30min Year: 2012
Country: Switzerland
Last Screened: Thu 6th Jun 2013

In a mesmerising evocation of a little-known tradition of rural Europe, we observe a master shepherd and his apprentice leading 800 sheep on a 600km journey across Switzerland to pastures new.

As the first snows fall, a master shepherd and his apprentice lead 800 sheep on a 600km journey across Switzerland to pastures new. Pascal Eguisier and his apprentice Carole Noblanc set off on their frozen four-month odyssey across the Swiss-French region. However, the terrain through which the unlikely duo travel is undergoing profound changes that render this kind of expedition increasingly difficult, forcing them to seek grass for the sheep between villas, on railroad tracks and in industrial areas.

Filled with surprise encounters, exquisite imagery, droll humour and the sound of sheep bells, Winter Nomads is an intimate character portrait of two staunch individuals dedicated to their craft.