Shepherds (Bergers)
Ditching Zoom Calls for Sheep
Overview: Mathyas swaps his Montreal life as a young advertising executive for that of a shepherd in Provence. But the road to his longed-for pastoral tranquility is littered with hard work. Through self-deprecation, Mathyas survives the violent delirium and decay of the first farmhouse where he begins his apprenticeship. But the arrival of Élise, a civil servant also searching for meaning, gives Mathyas’ quest a new direction. Together, they embark on a transhumance. Through the trials and tribulations of the mountains, and with a herd to support, they forge a new life for themselves.
Having premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival—where it won the Best Canadian Film award—and later securing a spot in TIFF’s annual Canada’s Top Ten list, Shepherds is a Canadian-French drama based on the real-life experiences of Mathyas Lefebure. The film adapts his novel *D’où viens-tu, berger?*, chronicling the story of a Montreal advertising executive who, during a vacation in France, impulsively decides to quit his job and move to the French Alps to become a shepherd. Who hasn’t, at least once, fantasized about trading work emails for fresh mountain air and the gentle aroma of sheep in the morning? (Not me!)
Soon, Mathyas crosses paths with Élise, a civil servant who finds herself drawn to his drastic life change. Before long, the two embark on this uncharted journey together, caring for a herd of 800 sheep. Under Sophie Deraspe’s contemplative direction, Shepherds immerses us in its pastoral world, with exquisitely framed shots of the mountains and French countryside evoking a deep sense of serenity and connection to nature. Complementing the breathtaking visuals is a beautifully calm and atmospheric score, which further enhances the film’s meditative rhythm, allowing us to fully absorb both the peacefulness and the immense responsibility of shepherd life. For two hours, we don’t just watch Mathyas’ transformation—we feel it.
Of course, it’s not all picturesque landscapes and poetic solitude. Mathyas quickly realizes that shepherding is more than just escaping modern life—it’s a skill, a lifestyle, and, at times, a battle. When he first seeks work, the seasoned locals laugh at him, seeing his city-boy ambitions as naïve, if not outright amusing. There’s a fascinating tension in his journey, as he slowly understands that simply ditching Wi-Fi and bathing naked in a river doesn’t automatically lead to enlightenment. Félix-Antoine Duval and Solène Rigot bring a raw authenticity to their performances, portraying Mathyas and Élise as real people navigating the daunting challenges of reinvention rather than idealized seekers of a simpler life.
One of the film’s greatest pleasures is its meticulous observation of nature itself. Watching the herd move in unison, their heads bobbing in rhythm, creates a strangely hypnotic effect. Shepherds doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of this existence either. It carefully details the daily tasks—marking, counting, and caring for the sheep—but also the inevitable hardships: injuries, sickness, and loss. When those moments hit, they’re as gutting for the audience as they are for Mathyas.
Ultimately, while the film didn’t exactly make me want to abandon my life for sheep farming, it did make me feel like I’d experienced a glimpse of what that life entails. And for a film like this, that’s the real magic.