Addicted to Sheep

Addicted to Sheep is an engaging and intimate 2015 British documentary centered around the captivating lifestyle of farming. This heartwarming film is directed by Magali Pettier and produced by Jan Cawood. Magali is known for depicting personal stories of rural life over several years, and it's clear in this breathtaking film. The 85-minute feature was mainly shot on location at a family farm in Baldersdale, North Pennines, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in County Durham, England. It offers a yearlong journey showcasing the harsh, yet robustly riveting and often humorous, seasonal daily life of British hill farmers.

The movie peels back the frost-covered windows of rural living to detail the captivating story of the Hutchinson family – Tom, Kay, and their three children. The film features these tenant sheep farmers, their journey through four seasons of farming, and undying dedication to raising their beloved Swaledale sheep. These sheep are not merely livestock but a heritage breed, built to survive the harsh Pennine weather, the backbone of the family's livelihood, and inextricably entwined with their identity.

The Hutchinson's maintain their small, 1,000-acre farm tenancy despite the constant threat of losing it, showcasing the quietly grim realities of tenant farming. Addicted to Sheep presents a close look at this family’s passionate commitment to their trade and way of life, despite hardships which include unpredictable weather, disease, and the fluctuating market prices for sheep.

Instead of weaving its narrative around dramatic events, the film stays true to its grassroots premise, providing an authentic snapshot of the farming community's relentless cycle of birth, life, and death. An interesting array of characters with characteristically British stoicism and hardiness color the film, maintaining a light-hearted tone throughout. The resilience, grit, and quiet humor that permeates the farming community bring a unique charm to the story. Even as the family battles snowstorms and birthing complications, the Hutchinsons' unwavering determination keeps the storyline compelling and their love for their sheep endearing.

Grand landscapes and breathtaking aerial shots of the North Pennines give way to tight close-ups on daily activities – from shearing to shepherding to attending auctions. This visual feast serves to immerse the viewer in authentic experiences of life on a sheep farm. The audience is given a rare insight into a child's perspective on farming, showing the willing and second-nature involvement of the farmer’s children in the challenging yet rewarding work of running a farm. This family’s commitment to their way of life instills a sense of quiet pride in what they do.

Throughout Addicted to Sheep, you get the impression that farming is more than just a career path for these families - it's a lifestyle they wholeheartedly cherish. From stubborn rams to recalcitrant weather, the film captures their addictive commitment to the cycle of life, mirroring the captivating nature of farming itself.

Despite being a documentary, the film employs no narration or reenactments, allowing the Hutchinsons' story to unfold naturally. Instead, the soundscape is filled with the comforting noise of farm life, interspersed with intimate, often candid interviews with the Hutchinsons and other figures in the community.

Addicted to Sheep is a deeply human story about perseverance in the face of hardship and the beauty of living close to nature. It offers a heartfelt, thought-provoking, and sometimes poignant exploration of rural livelihood and landscapes, enriching viewers' understanding of the farming community and their unwavering devotion to the land and the animals they tend.

This film is for anyone curious about rural life, with its cyclical patterns and inevitable challenges. It also serves as an important record of the life of tenant sheep farmers at a time when global farming practices are evolving. As such, Addicted to Sheep is an engaging, often witty, occasionally melancholic, but ultimately inspiring documentary feature that stands as an testament to the resilience and spirit of rural farming communities.