Holy Cow (2024) by Louise Courvoisier

“Holy Cow” (also known as “Vingt Dieux!”) is a 2024 French coming-of-age drama directed by Louise Courvoisier. The film is set in the Jura region of France and follows 18-year-old Totone. After his father’s tragic death, Totone suddenly becomes responsible for his younger sister and their struggling family farm. To make ends meet, he enters a competition to produce the best Comté cheese, leading him to learn the art of cheese-making and even engage in some unconventional methods to secure the necessary milk.

In the Jura region, 18-year-old Totone enjoys a carefree life with his friends, filled with typical teenage pursuits. However, his life takes a sudden turn when his father dies in a car accident. Now, Totone must care for his younger sister, Claire, and take over their failing family farm. Faced with the urgent need to earn money, he decides to enter a competition focused on making the local Comté cheese, with a significant cash prize. Despite his initial lack of experience, Totone learns the complex process of cheese-making with the help of his friends and sister. Realizing that winning milk is crucial, he starts a romance with Marie-Lise, a girl who inherited a farm, using their intimate moments as a distraction while his friends steal her milk. Totone faces numerous challenges in his cheese production, including the difficult task of handling the hot cheese mass. His frequent need for more milk leads to increasingly regular visits to Marie-Lise, sometimes under unusual circumstances, such as watching over a pregnant cow together.

Louise Courvoisier aimed to create a film that is both beautiful and joyous, even while acknowledging the difficult social realities of the rural setting. She wanted to portray the young people in her village, inspired by those she grew up with, as they are not often depicted in cinema. Her vision was to show their strength and how they cope in a region with economic challenges, moving beyond mere misery to find light and humor in their stories. She was inspired by an English tone, such as the works of Ken Loach. She emphasized the beauty and care in every scene, showcasing the Jura region with exquisite detail, vibrant color, and natural light, creating a raw and sensual vibe.

• Family Responsibility: The sudden death of his father thrusts Totone into the role of caregiver and provider for his younger sister and the family farm.

• Coming-of-Age: The film depicts Totone’s journey as he transitions from a carefree teenager to an adult facing significant responsibilities and making crucial decisions.

• Resilience: Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges in learning cheese-making and securing resources, Totone demonstrates a strong will to succeed.

• Altruism: The film explores themes of selflessness as Totone takes on responsibilities and finds ways to care for his family.

• Tradition and Heritage: The film is deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the Jura region, particularly the art of making Comté cheese.

• Strong Central Character: Totone, a young man forced to grow up quickly, is a compelling and relatable protagonist.

• Exploration of Artisan Cheese-Making: The film offers a surprisingly fascinating look into the techniques of crafting traditional Comté cheese.

• Humor and Heart: Despite the underlying challenges, the film maintains a lighthearted tone and focuses on the characters’ resilience and camaraderie.

• Authentic Setting: The Jura region of France is vividly captured, providing a rich and genuine backdrop for the story.

• Non-Professional Cast: The film features a predominantly non-professional cast, which adds to the authenticity of the characters and their rural environment.

“Holy Cow” is a heartwarming and humorous coming-of-age story set in the French Jura, where a young man unexpectedly inherits family responsibilities and embarks on a comical journey to win a cheese-making competition to support his sister and save their farm.

“Holy Cow” has received significant recognition, including:

• César Award for Best First Film: Winner

• Un Certain Regard Youth Prize (Cannes Film Festival): Winner

• César Award for Most Promising Actress (for Luna Garret): Winner

• Nominations: Prize of Un Certain Regard (Cannes), Jury Prize – Un Certain Regard (Cannes), César Award for Best Original Score, César Award for Best Writing – Original.

Critics’ reception has been overwhelmingly positive, praising the film for its charm, humor, and authentic portrayal of rural life.

• The New York Times (via Metacritic): Manohla Dargis noted that “The low-key charms of the coming-of-age story Holy Cow emerge gradually but steadily.”

• Time Out (via Metacritic): John Bleasdale described the film as “A moving and humorous coming-of-age story which is told with brio, avoiding the usual divots of social realism misery,” awarding it 4 out of 5 stars.

• Slant Magazine (via Metacritic): Marshall Shaffer commented that “The rhythms and structure of Holy Cow embody the swirling confusion and contradictions of adolescence itself.”

• Screen Daily (via Metacritic): Lee Marshall praised the film as “Lovingly shot in warm natural light, and accompanied by a gentle, lilting soundtrack,” highlighting the compassion for the protagonist.

• The Moveable Fest: Describes the film as an “Udder Delight,” highlighting Clément Faveau’s shining performance as Totone and noting that Courvoisier honors a central character who has a difficult time going on the straight and narrow.

• film-fest-report.com: Notes the beauty and care in every scene, calling it a remarkable and well-written film showcasing Courvoisier’s clever vision. The Jura region’s depiction is praised for its exquisite detail and vibrant colors.

• ScreenAnarchy: Praises the film for bucking genre trends and offering a compassionate gaze on a wild young man’s humbling journey.

• film-fest-report.com: Calls it a lovely, joyous, and mesmerizing adventure, highlighting the peculiar opening and the strong performances, particularly Clément Faveau as Totone and Luna Garret as Claire.

• ScreenAnarchy: Describes it as a finely crafted debut feature with a unique French sensibility.

The film has grossed $6,561,510 worldwide. It was a surprise hit at the box office in France, achieving just shy of 1 million admissions in its first month of release.

The film was produced in France. It was filmed entirely with a non-professional cast, and the director’s grandparents composed the soundtrack, adding to its authentic and personal feel.

• Pyramide Distribution: (France) Released the film in France on December 11, 2024.

• Limelight Distribution: (Australia) Released the film on March 6, 2025.

• Pandora Film: (Germany & Austria) Released in Austria on February 7, 2025.

• Paradiso Entertainment: (Benelux) Released in Belgium on December 11, 2024.

• (More distribution companies for other regions are still being researched.)

December 11, 2024 (France), March 6, 2025 (Australia), February 7, 2025 (Austria).

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• Charming and Heartwarming Story: The film offers a delightful narrative about family, responsibility, and pursuing one’s goals in unexpected ways.

• Authentic Portrayal of Rural France: The Jura region is vividly brought to life, offering a glimpse into its traditions and culture.

• Excellent Performances by a Non-Professional Cast: The genuine performances add to the film’s charm and relatability.

• A Unique Blend of Humor and Drama: The film manages to be both funny and touching as it explores the challenges faced by its protagonist.

• Celebrated Debut Film: Winner of multiple awards, including the César for Best First Film and the Un Certain Regard Youth Prize at Cannes.

• Experience a Feel-Good Story: The film is ultimately uplifting and leaves the audience with a sense of joy and optimism.

• Discover a Fresh Voice in French Cinema: Louise Courvoisier’s debut showcases a promising talent with a unique storytelling style.

• Learn About Traditional Cheese-Making: The film offers an engaging and educational look into the craft of making Comté cheese.

• Enjoy Beautiful Scenery and Cinematography: The Jura region is captured stunningly, making the film visually appealing.

• Support Independent and International Cinema: “Holy Cow” is a well-received film that offers a different perspective from mainstream Hollywood productions.

What Movie Trend Film is Following:

The film aligns with the trend of Rural Coming-of-Age Stories, particularly within European cinema. These films often explore the challenges and joys of growing up in close-knit rural communities, often focusing on themes of family, tradition, and finding one’s place in the world. “Holy Cow” also incorporates elements of Quirky Dramedies, using humor to navigate more serious themes.

What Big Social Trend is Following:

The film touches upon the social trend of Youth and the Challenges of Rural Life. It portrays young people in a rural region facing economic difficulties and exploring their options for the future, highlighting their resilience and resourcefulness in the face of these challenges. It also subtly touches upon the theme of Intergenerational Responsibility and the passing down of traditions.

“Holy Cow” is a delightful and award-winning debut film from Louise Courvoisier. With its charming story, authentic setting, and strong performances, it offers a heartwarming and humorous look at a young man’s unexpected journey into cheese-making and responsibility. It’s a highly recommended watch for those who enjoy feel-good stories with a touch of French charm and a glimpse into rural life.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Embrace Authentic Casting: Courvoisier’s use of a non-professional cast significantly contributed to the film’s genuine feel. Filmmakers should consider casting individuals who have a close connection to the story’s setting and characters to enhance authenticity.

• Find Humor in Everyday Situations: The film successfully weaves humor into the narrative, even amidst challenges. Filmmakers can explore the comedic potential in ordinary circumstances to make their stories more engaging and relatable.

• Ground Stories in Specific Cultural Contexts: The rich traditions and landscapes of the Jura region are integral to “Holy Cow.” Filmmakers should consider how setting and cultural details can enrich their storytelling and create a strong sense of place.

• Focus on Character-Driven Narratives: The film’s strength lies in its well-developed characters and their relationships. Filmmakers should prioritize creating compelling characters whose journeys resonate with the audience.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support First-Time Filmmakers with Unique Visions: Louise Courvoisier’s success with her debut feature highlights the importance of providing opportunities for emerging filmmakers with distinctive voices and stories.

• Recognize the Audience Appeal of Heartwarming and Authentic Stories: “Holy Cow”‘s positive reception and box office success demonstrate that audiences appreciate films that offer genuine emotion and relatable characters, even outside of big-budget productions.

• Promote Regional Cinema: Films that authentically depict specific regions and cultures can offer valuable insights and broaden the cinematic landscape. The industry should support and promote such films to diverse audiences.

• Consider the Global Appeal of Well-Crafted Coming-of-Age Stories: The themes of responsibility, resilience, and finding one’s way in life are universal, making coming-of-age stories like “Holy Cow” appealing to international audiences.