Shepherds (Bergers)

I'm in the south of France.

It's hot.

Sorry I didn't say I was leaving.

I'm staying in a hotel in Arles

in Provence.

I can't stay here long because my credit card's full.

But I'm not coming back.

Morning. - Hi.

Mathyas. - Jean-Claude.

A pleasure.

Here you go.

I'm not coming back.

One day...

maybe, yeah.

But not yet, 'cause...

my brain sends signals that slow down my heart, and...

I'm scared it'll stop.

Nassim!

- He fell? - Yeah, just like that!

Sacha, keep the flat till the end of the lease.

You can decide if you stay on.

My books can go to any friends who want them.

To Mom and Dad: I love you.

To the intern:

Julie, I think you're too smart

to work in marketing.

And to...

the owners of the agency, I'd like to say that...

you make me sick.

There, I said it. So now I can't ever come back and work for you again.

Still, I'm sorry to let you down.

PASTORALISM

The Shepherd's Handbook

The Good Sheep Herder

Guiding Sheep to Highland Pastures

I'll take

these and the knife.

And that sausage.

The knife's handmade.

A real shepherd's knife.

Beneath the truck, and the dog, there's the shepherd.

And if you don't have a wife yet,

find another line of work.

If he feels the passion...

You're a romantic.

In Montréal I wrote slogans for an ad agency.

OK, invent a slogan for me.

The world makes me frown

with economic and climate breakdown

So a shepherd I'll be

My hands will be clean.

Looks good on you.

It gives you color.

Thanks.

That was my granddad's satchel.

Really?

I want to work as a shepherd. Do you know any employers?

Breeders? - Yeah, breeders.

They're all at that bistro.

Drinking their yellow.

Their yellow?

Pastis. Drinking a bit.

Right. - Over there.

A nice satchel. It's well-travelled.

You see?

Hello, gentlemen...

Ladies... - Hello.

Sorry. I'm seeking work as a shepherd.

I don't have much experience, so an apprenticeship would be fine too.

If any of you need someone,

here's my number.

I'm available

now.

Where've you herded?

I've never herded.

So...

you're a city boy here to play shepherd.

A back-to-nature pothead!

Yes, I am a city boy,

but I'm from Québec. I'm Québécois.

That explains the weird accent.

Why'd you come from Canada to be a shepherd in Provence?

I want to experience the real thing.

Here, in France, in Provence, the cradle of pastoralism.

Pastoralism is finished.

Industrial farming has destroyed everything.

Don't! - You'll discourage him.

Always the same tune.

What do you want? It's the truth.

Their crap has polluted the grass.

Don't discourage him.

He makes a good impression.

Don't give up.

If you have the passion and want to work as a shepherd...

you have a future.

'Cause there's a huge need for shepherds in Provence.

You just need to find a good sheep farmer to teach you.

Passion's not enough. You also need the skills.

You need the skills. - Exactly.

You work 7 days a week, 12 months a year.

Does the Quebecer have a name?

Mathyas.

Mathyas? I'll give you a chance, Mathyas.

Really?

I'll take you to the farm

and see what you can do.

Thank you, Mr Richard,

for your trust.

I won't hide the fact

I want to write.

I hope the job will teach me sincerity and simplicity.

What a load!

No, I...

I know the work's not intellectual.

That's why I'm here. For...

the reality of the work...

of the land, something tangible...

How big is your flock?

Between 3 and 4,000. It varies.

The price of wool has tanked, right?

Yeah, wool's not worth much now.

We have to pay people to take what's left after shearing.

And the council says, sheep milk...

You raise Merinos only for their meat?

We never raised Merinos for milk, just for wool and meat,

essentially.

Help them set up the shearing pens.

These? - Yeah.

Forgotten something?

The pin, maybe?

Right.

You get a bunch and put'em in the pen.

A bunch.

Is that the pen? - Yeah.

The shearers don't have all day. - I'm on it.

And this?

It's decoration.

Not one, bring me a bunch.

Like this?

Careful, don't crowd'em.

They're climbing on each other.

They're water, look how they flow.

Water? - Yeah, like a fluid, a current.

Dance. Dance with the sheep.

No, not you.

Dance the flow.

Walk in here backwards. Turn around.

Let them go by you.

Look, they're hot.

Leave'em. Walk backwards, they'll follow you.

See? They move away.

There, beautiful! See?

You stay on this side.

I'll work the other side.

You have to like sheep 'cause...

if you don't, find another job.

'Cause if you don't have the passion...

You have to hold the animals as gently as possible,

so they don't move.

It's really a...

It's really an art.

How are you paid for shearing?

He wants to know if we're paid under the table!

Sneaky devil!

Of course not, you crazy?

But I won't tell you my rate. It's a secret.

They pay for the best.

The breeders know it.

Aren't I the best?

I saw your skill.

You see?

Impressive.

But above all I'm...

a headhunter.

The state pays me to finger clandestine workers.

Yeah? - And the breeders who hire them.

So tell me, Mr Canadian...

are you legal?

He thought I work for the state! What an idiot!

I went for it.

And wolves?

Do you like wolves? - What?

Are you a wolf lover?

You can tell us.

Well, I like'em but...

cohabitation with wolves seems difficult.

He didn't say no!

Hey, boss!

Mathyas likes wolves. - No!

You said so! You said so!

It's my accent. - Sure.

Mathyas is a bigmouth.

A know-it-all.

But he couldn't tell a wether from a breeding ram!

A what?

See you, guys.

Ciao. - See you later.

Mathyas?

I was thinking I could start by observing older shepherds.

I'll take you to the bus. I don't have time to train you.