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Herd

  • Israel
  • Short Documentary
  • 2021
  • 37 min.
  • Director(s): Omer Daida
  • Producer(s): Roni Caspi

Synopsis

Itamar breeds livestock that are destined for slaughter. His 10-year-old daughter Na’ama is growing up among the animals, and she’s finding it increasingly difficult to reconcile herself with their fate. But she still deeply admires her father and helps him out in the stalls without complaint.

In quieter moments, she discusses philosophical aspects of life and death with Itamar, who has his own clear vision on these matters. Through a fly-on-the-wall style, filmmaker Omer Daida tracks everyday life on this Israeli farm, from the lambing ewes and scurrying dogs to atmospheric scenes of the herd in the swirling sand. We see how Na’ama does her level best to support her father. The lens is often focused on this young protagonist, her questions and internal struggles clearly visible on her face.

Scene by aptly chosen scene, the film builds into a sincere and intimate father-daughter portrait that engages with complex questions of life and death, growing up, conflicting visions, and family ties.

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Credits

Director(s)

Omer Daida

Producer(s)

Roni Caspi

Cinematography

Omer Daida

Editor

Almog Ganot

Original Music

Dana Maimon

Original Language

Hebrew

Sound

Dana Maimon, Noam Barkat

Sound Design

Ami Arad, Noam Barkat

Festival Highlights

  • WINNER

    Special Mention
    Makedox
    2022
  • WINNER

    Special Mention
    Pärnu Film Festival
    2022
  • WINNER

    Most Promising Director Award
    Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival
    2022
  • Winner

    Artistic Vision Award
    Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
    2022
  • WINNER

    Student Competition
    Docaviv
    2021
  • WINNER

    Student Scholarship for Excellent Cinematography
    Docaviv
    2021

Documentary Edge International Film Festival, New Zealand, 2022

Pärnu Film Festival, Estonia, Competition, 2022

Ulju Mountain Film Festival, Korea, 2022

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, USA, Competition, 2022

IDFA, The Netherlands, Short Doc Competition, 2021

Docaviv International Film Festival, Israel, Student Competition, 2021

Reviews

  • "The jury presents an Artistic Vision Award to a beautifully composed coming-of-age meditation on tradition, family ties, and our complicated relationship with the animals that we rely on for both companionship and sustenance. The cinematography and sound design - particularly the ever-present sound of “the herd" - were mesmerizing, immersing us fully in Na’ama's world."
    - Jury of Big Sky Documentary Film Festival