A poignant documentary in the Pyrenees region of southwestern France delves into the lives of two endangered species struggling for survival in the rugged mountains. Max Keegan's immersive film shot over three years captures the intricate web of relationships between the brown bear, now thriving in numbers of around 70, and the shepherds who are fighting to preserve their traditional way of life.
The documentary begins with a dramatic aerial delivery of a 200kg crate from which a bear emerges, showcasing the region's resilience. However, this success is not without controversy. Local farmers, fearing for their livestock, have taken to barricading roads and painting "no to bears" on the tarmac, sparking heated debates about coexistence.
At the heart of the conflict are two elderly shepherds, Yves and an unnamed local who has been training a young shepherd, Lisa. Their concerns are palpable, as they struggle to pass on their expertise in an industry plagued by declining numbers of young people. The once-thriving sheep farming community is now fighting for survival.
The film's cinematography captures the breathtaking beauty of the Pyrenees landscape, where bears and shepherds coexist in a delicate ecosystem. Despite the stark differences between these two species, the documentary refuses to take sides, instead inviting viewers to consider the complexities of their relationships.
A nuanced exploration of the brown bear's diet reveals that 85% consists of vegetarian matter, with insects and small creatures providing the necessary protein. Yet for shepherds like Yves, who have witnessed half-eaten sheep still breathing, the presence of bears is a harsh reality.
Ultimately, the documentary presents no easy answers but rather a nuanced exploration of human-nature relationships in the face of conservation efforts. The unlikely encounters between farmers and wildlife photographers reveal that even the most hardened opponents can be transformed by the beauty of nature.
The documentary begins with a dramatic aerial delivery of a 200kg crate from which a bear emerges, showcasing the region's resilience. However, this success is not without controversy. Local farmers, fearing for their livestock, have taken to barricading roads and painting "no to bears" on the tarmac, sparking heated debates about coexistence.
At the heart of the conflict are two elderly shepherds, Yves and an unnamed local who has been training a young shepherd, Lisa. Their concerns are palpable, as they struggle to pass on their expertise in an industry plagued by declining numbers of young people. The once-thriving sheep farming community is now fighting for survival.
The film's cinematography captures the breathtaking beauty of the Pyrenees landscape, where bears and shepherds coexist in a delicate ecosystem. Despite the stark differences between these two species, the documentary refuses to take sides, instead inviting viewers to consider the complexities of their relationships.
A nuanced exploration of the brown bear's diet reveals that 85% consists of vegetarian matter, with insects and small creatures providing the necessary protein. Yet for shepherds like Yves, who have witnessed half-eaten sheep still breathing, the presence of bears is a harsh reality.
Ultimately, the documentary presents no easy answers but rather a nuanced exploration of human-nature relationships in the face of conservation efforts. The unlikely encounters between farmers and wildlife photographers reveal that even the most hardened opponents can be transformed by the beauty of nature.
I think its so heartwarming to see these two species tryin to coexist, but at the same time, you cant help but feel for the shepherds who are just tryin to make a livin' in this ever-changin world. It's like their whole way of life is bein hangin by a thread. 
And that aerial shot of the bear comin outta the crate is just mind blowin, you feel me? 
I'm all about these shepherds, fam 
They're like the real MVPs when it comes to preserving their traditions & way of life 
Their concerns are super valid tho - I mean who wants to live in fear of bears showing up at your doorstep? 
It's crazy how young folks are leaving the industry, and it's not just about the sheep farming – it's about preserving a piece of history 
... like, I get why the shepherds are worried about their livestock 
, but at the same time, you gotta admire these bears for just existing in such a harsh environment 
. The farmers' reactions range from angry to sad, and it's hard not to feel for them, but also kinda understand where they're coming from 
. I mean, who wouldn't want their livelihood threatened? 
But what really resonates with me is how the film shows the beauty of coexistence 
... like, these bears and humans aren't so different after all 
. It's a reminder that we gotta respect nature and its creatures, no matter how complicated things get 
. The cinematography in this doc looks insane btw 
I think its crazy how much struggle these shepherds are facin'. Its not just about the bears, but about preservin' this way of life for their kids. 
. I think we can all learn from Yves and Lisa's story - that even in the face of adversity, there's always hope for coexistence 
. And let's be honest, who wouldn't want to see a bear emerge from a crate like it's a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary 
? The cinematography is stunning, but what really got me was how the film shows that even the most hardened opponents can change their ways when they're faced with the beauty of nature 
. It's a powerful reminder to appreciate our place in the world and work towards finding balance between humans and wildlife 
The aerial shots of the bear emerging from a crate was INSANE 
& I love how the doco shows both sides of the story, like the farmers who are worried about their livestock & the wildlife photographers who just wanna capture the beauty of nature 
Can u imagine having a bear at your doorstep eating all ur garden veggies 
? Anyway I think its so important to have these nuanced conversations about human-nature relationships & the film does an amazing job of exploring that 
, there are still farmers who are all like "no to bears" on their roads and stuff. It's crazy! The film shows how the shepherds are struggling to pass on their skills because of declining numbers of young people, which makes me sad 
. It's like we're forced to confront our own biases and assumptions about the natural world 
. Who knows what the future holds for these shepherds and bears? Maybe it'll be a beautiful symphony of survival 
.
. I mean, 85% of their diet is veggies? That's wild! And the fact that shepherds are struggling to keep their traditional way of life alive is really heart-wrenching 
. I love how the doc doesn't take sides and just lets you feel for both sides – it's super relatable. And have you seen those aerial shots? Absolutely stunning 
! I'm definitely gonna check out this documentary ASAP 
Now, I'm not saying it's going to solve all our problems, but it gives me hope for a better coexistence with wildlife 
I can totally imagine how tough it must be for those shepherds to watch their traditional way of life being threatened, especially with younger generations not taking an interest in carrying on the family business 
it's so crazy how they're fighting for their way of life but at the same time the bears are like "hey we got protein here" lol 85% veggies tho 
. And can't they just work out a system for coexisting with the bears? Like, there must be ways to protect both their animals and the bears' habitat 
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I'm totally fascinated by this docu 
Like they're fighting to preserve their way of life and all that jazz 
I think what struck me most about this doc is how it highlights the importance of intergenerational learning. These elderly shepherds, Yves and his colleague, are struggling to keep their traditions alive but also want to coexist with an apex predator. It's a harsh reality check for us, especially when we're used to thinking in terms of quick fixes or easy solutions. But what if the key to survival lies not in finding answers but in embracing the complexity of our relationships with nature? 
The film reminds us that even in the face of adversity, there's always room for growth and understanding – just like how a bear can thrive on a mostly plant-based diet. We could all learn from their example: be patient, stay curious, and trust that the beauty of nature has the power to transform us, even when we don't see it coming! 
