Sweetgrass (film)
Encyclopedia
Sweetgrass is a 2009 documentary
film that follows modern-day cowboys as they lead their flocks of sheep up into Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth
mountains for summer pasture. It was directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor
, a Harvard anthropologist, and produced by his wife Ilisa Barbash. The title derives from Sweet Grass County, one of several in which the film was shot.
. Since then it has regularly screened worldwide and distributed theatrically by Cinema Guild
. In the United States, it premiered at the New York Film Festival
, and in Montana at the Big Sky Film Festival in Missoula, where it received the Big Sky Artistic Excellence Award.
, such as a lack of music and narration. The film is a New York Times Critic's Pick, a Washington Post Critic's Pick, and Manohla Dargis
of The New York Times described it as "the first essential movie" of 2010.
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
film that follows modern-day cowboys as they lead their flocks of sheep up into Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness was created from existing National Forest lands in 1975 and is located in Montana and Wyoming, United States. The wilderness is partly in Gallatin, Custer and Shoshone National Forests and is composed of . The wilderness encompasses two distinct mountain ranges, namely...
mountains for summer pasture. It was directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor
Lucien Castaing-Taylor
Lucien Castaing-Taylor is an anthropologist and artist who works in film, video, and photography.Since 2002 Castaing-Taylor has taught at Harvard University, where he is Director of the Sensory Ethnography Lab. His works include In and Out of Africa, which he made with Ilisa Barbash in 1992...
, a Harvard anthropologist, and produced by his wife Ilisa Barbash. The title derives from Sweet Grass County, one of several in which the film was shot.
Production and premiere
Recording first began in the spring of 2001, when Barbash and Castaing-Taylor first heard of a family of Norwegian‐American sheepherders in Montana. These herders were among the last to trail their band of sheep long distances through Montana's mountains. After 8 years of filming and development, it premiered at the Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
. Since then it has regularly screened worldwide and distributed theatrically by Cinema Guild
Cinema Guild
The Cinema Guild Inc. was established by Philip and Mary-Ann Hobel, producers known for their work in documentaries and features, including the film Tender Mercies....
. In the United States, it premiered at the New York Film Festival
New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival has been a major film festival since it began in 1963 in New York. The films are selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center...
, and in Montana at the Big Sky Film Festival in Missoula, where it received the Big Sky Artistic Excellence Award.
Critical response
Film critics have generally praised the film as "an anthropological work of art," focusing on its aesthetic minimalismMinimalism
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is set out to expose the essence, essentials or identity of a subject through eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts...
, such as a lack of music and narration. The film is a New York Times Critic's Pick, a Washington Post Critic's Pick, and Manohla Dargis
Manohla Dargis
Manohla Dargis is a chief film critic for The New York Times, along with A.O. Scott. She was formerly a chief film critic for the Los Angeles Times, the film editor at the LA Weekly, and a film critic at The Village Voice. She has written for a variety of publications, including Film Comment and...
of The New York Times described it as "the first essential movie" of 2010.