A Shepherd
A fascinating, matter-of-fact insight into the day-to-day life of a young shepherd working in the French Alps.
This film goes to show that old traditions, like haymaking on steep hillsides, can be revived. Just like in former times, a group of young people are showing that abandoned hillsides do not have to be lost to the forest. Now, these hillsides are being cleared and used instead for grassland, producing top-quality hay and leading to the return of flowers and grasses.
Molln, Austria. A group of locals have formed the Bergwiesenvereien, a community devoted to tending mountain hillsides in the traditional way. This collective is bringing steep hillsides, previously used as hay meadows and neglected for many years, back into production. Trees are making way for grassland, which is now grazed by livestock and the hay meadows are gradually being restored to their former glory. Modern farming equipment is gratefully deployed for the purpose, which means many more acres can be worked, but sometimes there is simply no alternative for the old methods. The group is also helped by schoolchildren and other volunteers who are embracing this traditional form of agriculture. Hay of the very highest quality is harvested and the enjoyment and solidarity of those involved is plain to see.
