Video: Farmer praises film for honest portrayal of farming life
Ayrshire dairy farmer Bryce Cunningham has praised Holy Cow, a new French film, for its honest depiction of life on the land, saying it resonates strongly with the challenges faced by British farmers.
Directed by Louise Courvoisier, Holy Cow tells the story of 18-year-old Totone (Clément Faveau), a teenager in France’s Jura region who must step up to take care of his family’s dairy farm and his young sister following a family tragedy.
Facing financial difficulties, Totone enters a high-stakes competition to produce the region’s best Comté cheese, with a €30,000 prize on the line.
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The film, which draws heavily from Ms Courvoisier’s own upbringing, features non-professional local actors and offers a raw portrayal of modern farming life, touching on both its financial and emotional strains.
Ahead of its UK release this week, the film has struck a chord with Mr Cunningham, a dairy farmer at Mossgiel Organic Farm in Ayrshire, who understands the pressures that farming families face.
“It really highlights the relentless pressure from banks, the crushing debt, and the emotional toll on families. It’s a crucial narrative for anyone involved in modern farming,” said Mr Cunningham.
“Losing a parent is hard enough. Losing your home and livelihood at the same time, it’s devastating. This film gets it.”
Mental health
Mr Cunningham also hopes the film will raise awareness about the hidden mental health crisis facing UK farmers.
“This is our reality. Suicide rates in our industry are alarmingly high. Mental health is suffering. In the UK alone, 400 farms closed last year. That’s 400 families. That’s not just a statistic, it’s a crisis,” he said.
Recent data highlights the urgency of the issue, with 62 farmers reported to have died by suicide in England and Wales in 2023.
Additionally, a 2021 survey found that 36% of UK farmers report experiencing depression, while nearly half suffer from ongoing anxiety.
Mr Cunningham believes that Holy Cow will give those unfamiliar with farming a better understanding of the challenges faced by young farmers.
“I really hope people come and see this film, especially those who’ve never stepped foot on a farm, to see the reality of what young farmers face,” he said.
“By buying local, supporting family farms over big dairy, you’re helping to change that reality.”
Holy Cow has already received critical acclaim, winning the Un Certain Regard Special Youth Jury Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and several other awards.
The film opens in cinemas on 11 April.