The Echo of the Herd

Didier, who was born deaf, works on a livestock farm in the rural Auvergne region of France; since the death of his brother Claude, he has found solace in the daily care of the animals. He knows the cows like no one else and has an unerring sense of what the herd needs—but then, an infectious disease breaks out. As the herd dwindles and the barns empty, the grief over his brother resurfaces with renewed intensity, and Didier faces the threat of losing everything dear to him once again. This documentary offers a unique glimpse into Didier’s rich inner world, giving him the space to share his story at length without spoon-feeding the audience. A blend of observational footage and poetic dreamlike animations makes The Echo of the Herd an ode to human resilience and a life lesson—but above all, a sensory masterpiece.

The Echo of the Herd marks the feature film debut of the young directing duo Matthias Joulaud and Lucien Roux. The film premiered this spring at Visions du Réel, where their first short film, Ramboy (2022), had also been screened four years earlier.