Butenland (2019)

The story of a dairy farmer turned activist who converted his farm into the first retirement home for cows.

Director:

Marc Pierschel

Writer:

Marc Pierschel

Stars:

Jan Gerdes, Karin Mück, Oliver Janssens

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jan Gerdes	...	Self
Karin Mück	...	Self
Oliver Janssens	...	Self
Gabriele Missalla	...	Self
Annika Werb	...	Self
Karen Duve	...	Self
Hilal Sezgin	...	Self
Matthias Antlfinger	...	Self
Ute Hörner	...	Self
Marlies Veen	...	Self
Henning Hedden	...	Self
Indira Eulner	...	Self

Storyline

Jan Gerdes is a third-generation dairy farmer, but he struggles with his conscience when the milk yield decreases and he has to sell his cows to the slaughterhouse. After suffering a burn-out, he decides to give up his farm. On the day his last cows are due to be transported to the slaughterhouse, he finds that there's no room for twelve of the cows. Instead of ordering another transport, he and his partner Karin Mück decide to keep them. This is the birth of 'Hof Butenland' - the first cow retirement home in Germany. In the early 80s, Karin was one of the first activists to rescue dogs, cats and other animals from vivisection laboratories - actions that ultimately led to her arrest and imprisonment. Paul was supposed to be slaughtered at the age of two months because of calf flu, Uschi because she refused to be milked; Lillja almost did not survive the birth of her first calf. On Butenland, they live together with many former farmed animals in an environment where they are equal to ...

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Plot Keywords:

cows | animals | animal rights | animal welfare | dairy | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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User Reviews

This is a game changer for the genre. Bravo

Unique qpproach to a life with empathy for animals. There are many fact based documentaries which try to shock you. This film gives animals and identities and shows that it never is too late in life. The people who take care of the animals get very respectfully interviewed about things they regret. It really is a gem of a film. Highly recommended. Beautifully filmed lesves a long impresssion.

Details

Official Sites:

official site

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

6 February 2020 (Germany)

Box Office

Budget:

EUR50,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blackrabbit Images

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.90:1