Toronto International Film Festival 2024: THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR & SHEPHERDS (BERGERS)
While the subject matter is wildly different, there are some similarities between The Mother and the Bear and Shepherds (Bergers). Both have main characters that are put outside of their comfort zones (and across the world) and both are romances in some way. One: of heart and nature. The other: family and love. Each of the main characters are on a path to self discovery and both films are unforgettable.
The Mother and the Bear (Johnny Ma)
The Mother and the Bear is a charming and whimsical story brimming with enduring adventures, and self-discovery.
In The Mother and the Bear, directed by Johnny Ma, the icy expanse of Winnipeg is the backdrop. This frigid exterior makes the isolation of our lead character even more potent, in this fish out of water story.
Schoolteacher Sumi (Leeree Park) finds herself in a coma after a startling encounter with a wild bear. Her devoted mother, Sara (Kim Ho-jung), rushes from South Korea to her daughter’s side, navigating the harsh Canadian winter to be with her in the hospital.
As Sara waits for Sumi to recover, she takes on the challenge of fulfilling her motherly duty: finding a suitable husband for her daughter. She meets a young man who she thinks would be good for her and proceeds to make an online dating account.
This quest plunges Sara into the complexities of Sumi’s life, leading her to uncover hidden aspects of her daughter’s world. Along the way, she meets Sam (Lee Won-jae), a warm-hearted restaurant owner who offers her a comforting connection to home and begins to mend the emotional scars from her past, including the love she’s been grieving for 25 years.
Sara goes too far in her actions sometimes but there’s a genuine sweetness that makes it hard to criticize her for long. Her scenes with Sam are some of my favorites, their fledgling romance (and a wonderful crafted scene making kimchi) brings a loving essence to the screen. There is also a lot of humor throughout and watching Kim Ho-jung on screen is a true delight. She’s the heart of the film, and it’s a a playful performance that shows her extensive range.
Some of the narrative doesn’t stand itself apart from other films with similar stories, but Johnny Ma delivers a story that blends comedy and drama with genuine care.
The Mother and the Bear is an endearing film rife with warmth and spirit.
Shepherds (Sophie Deraspe)
In Shepherds, inspired by Mathyas Lefebure’s semi-autobiographical novel D’où viens-tu, berger?, Mathyas (Félix-Antoine Duval) is a young Montrealer dissatisfied with his high-powered marketing career.
Frustrated and yearning for a meaningful change, after a health scare, he leaves his job and escapes to the French Alps for a new life.
Soon after he arrives, his romanticized vision of rural bliss quickly fades as he encounters a group of weathered shepherds and begins an apprenticeship with one of them.
Amid the grueling realities of mountain life, Mathyas finds an unexpected ally in Élise (Solène Rigot), a civil servant who leaves her career to join him. As they face the trials of shepherding and working for local farmers Gérard (Bruno Raffaelli) and Cécile (Guilaine Londez), their quest for happiness and adventure reveals that the serene life they envisioned is more complex and challenging than expected. Their connection grows as the two weather the storm together, opening up a meaningful bond.
Shepards is emotionally riveting, with a minimalist approach contrasting beautifully with its expansive scenery and grand ideals. The story unfolds gradually, yet it remains consistently engaging and never dull.
It explores a romantic ideal full of both charm and challenges, presented with a gentility that flourishes. The unhurried realism of the narrative is both admirable and compelling, capturing breathtaking moments of nature. There is a musical quality to the silence and a peaceful harmony in the sounds of the land, creating a deeply immersive experience.
Shepherds doesn’t shy away from how hard this kind of work can be, nor does it paint it in an unrealistic fashion. He encounters those in the field that handle things differently than others and there are some disturbing sequences with animals. However, beyond that, there is a tranquility that is examined and as Mathyas narrates his experiences with poetic prose, we hear how such a journey affects him, and leaves an impact on us.
Director Sophie Deraspe presents us with a reflective and patient film. One that is so meditative it feels like a documentary at times.
Shepherds is a heartfelt portrayal of pastoral life. There’s a deep devotion shown within these stories and something truly uplifting and inspiring about someone going after and finding their truth.
Both films had their premieres at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
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