A Modern Fairy Tale of Farming and Family

Read Time:3 Minute, 57 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Holy Cow (Vingt Dieux)
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Genre: Comedy, Drama
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Louise Courvoisier
Writer(s): Théo Abadie, Louise Courvoisier
Cast: Clément Faveau, Luna Garret, Mathis Bernard, Dimitri Baudry, Maïwene Barthelemy
Language: French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: showing at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: From its opening shot, HOLY COW captures the imagination—a calf nonchalantly chilling inside a car, ready to embark on an unexpected and simultaneously captivating journey (I promise, stick with me on this!) This visual hook introduces us to Totone (Clément Faveau,) a vibrant teenager whose life in the pastoral Jura (located in Eastern France) pivots from leisure to a quest for maturity and mastery in the traditional craft of Comté cheese-making (no, seriously, this is incredible!)

In HOLY COW, director Louise Courvoisier paints a compelling portrait of Totone, this 18-year-old thrust into adulthood by the demands of caring for his younger sister. Propelled by duty and aspiration, Totone’s ambition to win a local agricultural contest—and the hefty prize that comes with it—is not just about the monetary gain but about carving out a new identity and future.

Set against Jura's lush, rolling hills, the film combines rural life's ruggedness with youth's exuberance. Courvoisier’s eye for detail captures the expansive landscapes and intimate moments of Totone’s journey, employing a mix of wide-angle views and close-ups that highlight the sweeping beauty of the countryside and the intricate emotions playing across the characters’ faces.

The authenticity of HOLY COW is one of its strongest suits, thanks primarily to the casting of non-professional actors from the region. Favreau, as Totone, delivers a performance that is both raw and resonant, effectively blurring the line between character and performer. The dynamic between Totone and the film's strong female leads—who break away from conventional roles to showcase strength and independence—adds depth.

Courvoisier’s directorial style is evident throughout the film. Her meticulous pacing ensures that each emotional beat is felt, while her ability to frame Jura's rustic charm enhances the storytelling. The screenplay, developed in collaboration with Théo Abadie and Marcia Romano, is cleverly structured to ensure that every subplot and character arc is integrated into the main storyline, enriching the thematic weight of the story.

HOLY COW also brings a unique blend of humor and intrigue, providing fun and relatability amidst the characters' challenges. This blend of light-hearted moments with serious undertones helps ground the film’s more fantastical elements, connecting them back to Courvoisier’s knack for merging everyday realities with elements of whimsy.

Ultimately, HOLY COW is about achieving one’s dreams—a celebration of life’s unexpected turns and the places we call home. The film explores the theme of personal growth and community and comments on the universal quest for identity and belonging. The choice of title cleverly reflects not just the local dialect but also the film’s overarching message about the surprises life throws our way, encapsulating the essence of the story and its setting in a way that resonates with audiences everywhere.

This film stands out as a heartfelt exploration of adolescence, responsibility, and ambition framed within the beauty of the French countryside. It's a journey that proves as enriching as it is entertaining, making HOLY COW a memorable watch that resonates with viewers long after the credits roll.

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[photo courtesy of AGAT FILMS, EX NIHILO, PYRAMIDE FILMS]

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