Shepherds

Sophie Deraspe

Drama film

Canada, France

Official selection for Tiantan Award, 15th Beijing International Film Festival

The 2024 Best Canadian Feature Film Award, the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival

"Shepherds" follows a young advertising executive from Montreal who leaves behind city life to pursue the unfamiliar path of shepherding in France. Along the way, he crosses paths with a former civil servant who has quit her job on a whim, and together they find themselves swept into a series of unforeseen adventures. They explore how to cope with change, with the push and pull between tradition and reinvention, as they walk along the chaotic road of self-discovery.

It's a beautifully honest and thought-provoking film that speaks to anyone who's ever felt trapped by the pressures of modern urban life and longed for a simpler, more meaningful existence. Through the quiet but powerful journeys of the two characters who left everything behind to become shepherds in France, the film captures both the romantic allure and harsh truths of returning to nature. It's not just about escape, but about resilience, rediscovery, and finding peace in discomfort. Sophie Deraspe's direction blends poetic visuals with grounded realism, making it not only visually stunning but emotionally resonant, reminding us that while chasing dreams isn't easy, it might be the most worthwhile thing we ever get to do.