When the Cows Come Home
“Even Loners Need a Herd...”
2022•G•1h 44m•Released
Documentary
When the Cows Come Home introduces audiences to Tilly and Maggie, a pair of cows that musician, journalist, artist and cow whisperer, Andrew Johnstone has befriended and subsequently saved from slaughter. The garrulous herdsman is enthusiastic to expound his views on animal husbandry, bovine communication and the vagaries of life in general, before the film walks us back through the events that have shaped the singular farmer-philosopher. From personal family tragedy to warring with Catholic school authorities, innovating in Hamilton’s nascent music scene to creating guerrilla art installations; Johnstone’s life has had a truly idiosyncratic trajectory. Mental health issues may have seen him retreat to life on the farm, but the film makes clear its subject’s restless inquisitiveness is far from being put out to pasture.
Director
Costa Botes
Languages
English
Studio
Lone Pine
Cast
Andrew Johnstone
Self
Geoff Lealand
Self
Claudine Johnstone
Self
Noel Johnstone
Self
Louise Allen
Self
Grant Hislop
Self
Zed Brookes
Self
Himanshu Kera
Self
Richard Swainson
Self
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