Holy Cow

Set in the stunning rural Jura region of France, this is not a charming bucolic portrait, but instead a rough-and-ready story of farm life and scraping your way into adulthood. Totone (Clement Faveau) is forced to take on his parents’ cheese farm under tragic circumstances. Taking on a truckle of trouble, he vies to win the annual Comté competition while fighting, fornicating and forming his character. His rascally band of friends are there to assist him and cause mischief in equal measure.

A French debut that’s as satisfying and well-rounded as a block of Comté itself, this is a heartwarming tale of wild youth – making amazing use of a non-professional cast – with enough spirit for a dozen Ken Loach films.