Yes,
Moo Man is about cows ... I said cows
... big Holstein Friesian cattle - the primary dairy breed, bred for high milk
production.
Now add
some experts in film, sound, music scores ... a farm with farmer ... mix them
all around and what do you get? The Moo Man ...
Some
friends last summer had said you must see this film – it is brilliant: so
evocative of our Sussex area, so relevant to the conversation we have here in
the UK: re today’s big industry v small cottage
enterprises ...
Could I
find it – no ... but it was an independent film ... perhaps the Eastbourne Film
Society would bring it to us – nope, not when I suggested it ...
... but
then our Chairman, who is incredibly knowledgeable about films, on realising
who the highly acclaimed young Director was, then scheduled it to be shown
during our recent extra mini-season.
 |
| Steve with his girls |
Andy
Heathcote is highly regarded as an independent avant garde film maker and the
Society had shown one of his early Polish films.
Why
Poland? As Andy said in the early 1990s,
after the Berlin Wall came down, the British Council were sponsoring
entrepreneurial creative artists to train at the very well renowned Lodz Film
School ...
...
which is named after Leon Schiller, but other alumni are Roman Polanski,
Andrzej Wajda and Zbigniew Rybczynski all Oscar winners ...
What
way-out present, something that’s completely different, can you give your loved
one on his birthday? How about a visit
to a local farm with its dairy herd ...
Hook
and Son, a small family dairy farm, established in 1959 ... was in the mid
1990s teetering financially.
What to
do ... they are passionate about their cows and their land ... so father and
son converted the farm over to organic, whereby the pastures are completely
free of fertilisers and pesticides.
What
next? Well let’s start a milk round
offering “raw” milk, which we can enlarge to include butter and cream in due
course ... as they do now.
‘Raw’ milk is completely natural and has
not been processed in any way, maintaining the nutritious elements and good
bacteria that are destroyed by pasteurisation.
About
eight years ago they started delivering flyers within the environs of Hailsham
and Eastbourne offering fresh, healthy and delicious dairy delivered straight
from the farm to your doorstep.
The
business slowly took off – one of these flyers landed on Andy and Heike’s
doormat ... unbeknownst to Andy his birthday treat was a visit to Hook and Son.
After
the initial shock of ... well ok this IS a different birthday present ... and
they had had their tour ... and were returning back home ... the thoughts were
whirling in this pair’s brains ......... what if .....??
And so
the idea was mooted: a film - taken up, what would the story line be? No idea, other than the farm and its methods
....
In the
end Ida became the story ... the head of the herd ... she made sure the cows
behaved, she became the marketing girl ...
 |
| A market stall - getting the word out |
Andy
took four years to film ... recording all aspects of farming life ... the cows,
births, deaths, bottling milk, marketing their milk ... and on ...
The
film is very British, an English farmer and his love for his cows, his way of
life ... the fact he understands his land ... his feelings and emotions re the
cost-cutting dairies and supermarket profits ...
 |
| Unsalted Butter |
Steve
and Phil Hook, his father, have bravely set out their stall ... which Andy
Heathcote brings to the table to give us plenty to think about ... there is a
lot more underlying the film ...
Oh! and
there are some beautiful moments in the film ... cry with us, laugh with us ...
gasp with us ...
... a
bottling plant in the kitchen – yes it does get upgraded ...
...
cows cavorting on the Pevensey Levels ...
...
cows empathising together when something serious happens ...
 |
| Ida loves to be beside the seaside! |
... a
trip to the seaside for Ida .... Ida who
does love to be besids the seaside ... did not want to leave Eastbourne
seafront ... no coercion there:
I’m staying put, no I don’t need food to entice
me to move ... Moooo Moooooh I am happy
breathing deeply in the sea air ...
... the
farm hand, who doesn’t appear to help – in fact who looks totally bemused ...
yes he is – poor chap it’s his first week and he’s never seen a cow being born
....
... he
hangs over the stall looking ‘shell-shocked’ thinking what have I let myself in
for ... I’m being filmed, I’m watching a cow being born ... crumbs = all firsts
...
 |
| Tidal Marsh, a Pevensey Bay Rhyne |
It’s a
stunningly beautiful film – setting out the struggles of a small personal
family farm, whose way of life they do not want to lose – which shows the
incredible bonds between man, animal and countryside ...
Our
land, our nature, our Sussex, my blogging history ... the farm on the edge of
the Pevensey Levels (a site of Special Scientific Interest (a conservation designation denoting a
protected area)) – where William the Conqueror a thousand years ago was
able to land his army ...
 |
| Pevensey Bay c 340AD Anderida, as Pevensey was known in Roman times, is on the peninsula (I had not realised that topography). Hailsham is marked (just) top left - where the Hooks' farm is today. The coast road today goes straight across the Bay: a lot of sea change |
... the
start of the shore ... before longshore drift and sea-level change silted up
the tidal reaches, Pevensey Bay being three to four miles south as the crow
flies.
Even
little enterprises can make big splashes ... The Moo Man was selected to be shown in the World Documentary Class
at the SunDance Film Festival last year ... when John Cooper, the festival director,
called The Moo Man his crazy
favourite ...
The
film and the farm have gone from strength to strength ... the farm now has 70
cows, many offspring from the cows of early days ... the farm of father and
son, has moved on to employing 17 people ...
 |
| Ghee |
... we can order our milk, butter, ghee or cream over the internet ... so
they are in the 21st century, on top of that they have stalls at
various London markets, and here around the Eastbourne, East Sussex area ...
... and
then that film “The Moo Man” has been
selected as the United Nations film on the occasion of the International Yearof Family Farming 2014 ....
HumanRights Film Network declares that its aim:
Hereby, this human world builds a broader lobby in Austria for
independent filmmaking around socio-critical themes of our time and becomes a
driving force in this filmmaking.
this human world is also a mediator for artistic
projects centred around the theme of human rights, not only with the example of
cinema but also in other urban public spaces
 |
| A TrufflePig Film |
So I introduce you to TrufflePig
Films – the slow makers of films, an independent UK film production company
specialising in documentaries ... the films that are so special, they feel they
just have to make that film ... The Moo
Man in this instance ...
Hookand Son – Dairy Farmers ... their website – which has lots of interesting
information on the benefits of raw
milk, of nurturing our animals, land and all of nature for future generations
...
TrufflePigFilms – Andy Heathcote and Heike Bachelier’s site ...
Musicby Stephen Daltry – which was so evocative ... a snippet can be found at his website ...
Post
Production Sound by Peter Hodges ... this was amazing ... we could ‘feel’ the
frosty air, yet hear the birds sing ... a testament to all the film makers ...
The
trailers are well worth watching ... I’m sure you’ll enjoy and laugh ...
 |
| The stars of the film |
The
film is bucolic, pastoral ... true Sussex life ... which simply cannot be lost
... the world will be lesser for it – we need these values ...
I’m
happy with my Sussex base ... I feel like singing:
I’Da
Love to be Beside the Seaside ...
Congratulations
to Stephen, his family and his father for their amazing dairy herd and the
decision to branch out to offer us milk that is completely natural ...
 |
| Steve with Ida |
Dear Ida deserves an extra special mention ... she was the star of the show ... her offspring continue her way of life ...
What an amazing outcome from a surprise birthday present those few years ago ... how to find a story in the Sussex countryside and develop it ...
Here’s
to Moo Man the film, and the Moo Men themselves ... Good Luck to one and all
...
It is set for distribution via Channel 4 film, I believe ... and no doubt other outlets ...
Hilary
Melton-Butcher
Positive
Letters Inspirational Stories
74 comments:
This looks and sounds like a very interesting film. I have never had truly fresh milk before. I'd be interested to try it!
Moo Man sounds as if it has the potential for being a cult classic! Lovely setting, too. I'll have to see if I can find it on Netflix or Amazon...
There's a lot of controversy in the U.S. right now about raw milk. I can see why it might be popular in you've got the access to extremely fresh milk, but I'm not ready to throw away science and proclaim pasteurization is bad. Still, it's always interesting to see a small business start up, struggle, and succeed.
Raw milk--I had never thought about the processing that goes into milk that might make it unhealthy.
What a wonderful story and what a great subject. I too would love to see that film. All power to the elbows of the farmers and I just wish I too could buy their products. Ghee even, now that really surprised me. Another marvellous post Hilary, thank you.
Moo Man sounds like a fun and educational movie at the same time. When I was in the fifth grade and we were studying the 50 states, our Social Studies teacher had us make butter when we studied Wisconsin. It was fun and tasted great. I love the idea of organic when it comes to the milk and butter.
Oh, very interesting. I love places that reinvent themselves in a way that is better for all involved (cows, consumers, etc). And it's nice that the film made its way to your community!
I really want to see Moo Man. How interesting!!
This brought back a wonderful memory of living near a dairy where cows had the most wonderful care by their owner. I remember the cooler where fresh milk ran over the chilled coils and where I could fill a cup with it fresh. The farmers were from Holland, so along with that whole, un-pasturized milk I got hot black bread and homemade cheese.
Great to meet Ida and learn about the film.
Love cows. I think they are beautiful. And look how much they give us humans!
This film sounds utterly (udderly!??! LOL!) wonderful! I hope we all get to see it at some point!
Take care
x
I bet the film is really interesting. I don't believe I've ever had organic milk.
The film sounds really interesting. My mom says there is nothing like tasting milk fresh from the cow.
Wow, four years. It's no wonder they were able to capture so many emotions throughout the film. It sounds wonderful. When I lived in Germany, we had milk that came in a small box - it may have been goat milk? - but it didn't require refrigeration, it was perfection! Nothing was added to it. I wish we could get here in the states. Yummy!
We love independent, quirky films around here. Wonder if we could get our hands on it...
Makes me want to drink a glass of milk and have some cheese.
Brilliant as always, Hils. Love how this post combines so many of your values and your part of the world's history.
Tina @ Life is Good
On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!
Sounds very interesting - and I do like cows!
When I was a child I used to spend hours at the local dairy with my friend who was from a farming family. I still remember the smell of the milk fresh from the cow. I have drunk it like that too when we were snowed in our village. Tastes very different.
I love how the cows follow behind him like that. I'd like to see that film.
Hillary,
This is so charming! My father (the Wallace) after emigrating from Glasgow, grew up on a cow farm in Michigan, as they had always been crofters and this is very familiar to me, but here in the States, this way of life is exceedingly rare.
We also drank raw milk and when I was growing in California, we had to buy it special from a farmer and it was wonderful; you really get spoiled by it.
I really wanted to see this film, I so much enjoyed the trailer. Thanks for sharing, Hillary! Love, Mary
Sounds like an interesting film. My husband keeps a cow as pet!
@ Keith - I certainly hope you get a chance to see the film sometime and try milk straight from the cow .. perhaps with Beate?
@ Elizabeth - I would hope it will be a cult classic .. it is certainly getting its due showings now ... the DVD is available via the Amazon Market place and I expect it'll get to Netflix, or Amazon viewing at some stage ..
@ Dianne - I saw some notes on the controversy or discussion points ... I am fairly sceptical about science at times, though recognise it has its good side.
The farm has a Q&A on the site .. and seems very open to how they farm etc ... I'm going to try it out and see the benefits for myself ..
@ Stephanie - anything we do with food to theoretically add value to it .. doesn't help it much .. butter v margarine .. I always stuck with butter and that's been accepted as better for you now ...
@ Jo - it is a wonderful story isn't it .. and I hope everyone will see the film sometime ...
You'd love their products - sadly I suspect Canada is too far away for posting! Yes - the Ghee surprised me, that's why I thought I'd put a photo of it into the post ...
So pleased you enjoyed the post ..
@ Mason - The Moo Man film was just brilliant to watch - loved it ... just so British.
What a good idea about involving you in churning butter .. bet that was such a good lesson: well it must be as you're quoting it today ...
I'm going to visit the farm in the next couple of days and put my order in ..
@ Hart - good to see you .. it's a brilliant film made locally about a local farmer - just lucky us in Eastbourne got to see it ..
@ Teresa - I hope it comes out on Netflix or Amazon .. it can be bought in DVD format from the UK site - via Trufflepigs films .. they'll send it to you ..
@ Lee - this sounds like the Hook family .. Steve is always out talking to his cows ... and how fantastic you could enjoy the cows milk so fresh ...
That explains their dedication to their animals .. the Dutch, their bread, their cheese and the fresh milk - sounds very good ...
Isn't Ida grand ... thanks so much ..
@ Old Kitty - they certainly give us a great deal ... and in exchange they deserve a good life ...
It was 'udderly' delightful and I hope once you're moved you can get to see the film ..
Thanks .. this is part 1 ...
@ Alex - I haven't tried organic milk .. but I'll make up for that in the next few days ... and the film is incredible ... a fascinating insight into a dairy farmer's life ..
@ Cely - like I've said to the others .. I hope you can see the film and perhaps somewhere try some fresh milk - but I guess not Qatar!
@ Elsie - they came and shot film, edited and let the film unfold - especially as Ida was the star ...
I can't think what your magical box might have held .. but you obviously remember its delicious contents ...
@ Tina - that's great to know .. quirky independent films are just brilliant - with their different take in their approach ..
I'm looking forward to getting out to the farm and trying some milk, and then getting my order set up .. sadly they don't do cheese - but other local farmers do ..
Thanks re my weaving of threads together ... I wanted to add in the Pevensey Levels bit ... and thankfully I would think most know about William the Conqueror, so it can resonate ...
@ Holly - I'm so surprised everyone's 'into' cows .. delighted!
@ Suzanne - our home was an old dairy .. but in the 1940s the farm was abandoned, so we had some vestiges of dairy life - but no animals.
Such lovely remembrances of your early childhood - and then being snowed in and having the opportunity to try it again .. especially as Cornwall doesn't get that much snow ...
@ Lynn - Steve Hook had a great rapport with the cows ... and I hope you can get to see the film sometime ...
@ Mary - how interesting to be able to remember the stories your crofting father told you - a big leap of faith to go from Scotland to the States ...
You too - had the opportunity to have raw milk in California .. I'm really looking forward to trying it ..
So pleased you enjoyed the trailer - it's such a British movie .. Andy and Heike did a wonderful job ...
@ Kelly - does he really keep a cow as a pet .. then your dearly beloved would love this film ...I hope you can get to watch it ..
Cheers everyone and I'm so pleased you enjoyed the cow post!! Hilary
I'm not sure I'd like to drink non-pasteurized milk, but the movie sounds like a great source of information on the option. And I do love cows. They're giant but still cute.
I hope I can find that movie. Thanks for telling us about it.
Love,
Janie
Oooh, I HAVE to see this, Hilary…just have to!! THANK you!
The "idea was mooted?!" This sounds like a wonderful film starring Ida; a talented moovie star! I hope to see it one day!
Julie
Hil, I can honestly say I would love to watch this after reading your excellent post. My husband always has an enormous queue of documentaries to watch. This would be perfect. I'm enormously inspired and gratified by the idea of cows sympathizing with each other, and I love, too, that the film took four years to finish--to really sink into the rhythms of life on a farm being transitioned to run in a particular, beneficial, conscious way. Just lovely.
Oh, I love raw milk (lait cru in this part of the world). There is one supermarket in the vicinity that sells it. Some of the local cheeses (Cantal entre-deux and Salers,and probably others) are available made from raw milk - their flavour and character is so different from the standard products, it is easy to think they are different varieties.
We live in mostly beef cattle (charolais) country, but there are a few dairy herds scattered around.
The film sounds that it would be interesting to watch.
Also, I can't believe Alex has never had organic milk. :)
Will have to hop over and watch the trailers. Sounds interesting! Thank you for broadening my horizons. I so appreciate your research, sense of humor, and writing style! You are a treasure, and I am thankful to call you a friend. :)
Hi Hilary
I know I would love to see this film.
Thanks for the links.
It sounds wonderful
I grew up with cows and my dad taught me how to milk them (or at least he tried, I never really got the know-how)
Love the shots of Ida and the other cows.
Now I am going to have a nice glass of milk.
We have a dairy from not far from us at all (whew, you can really tell when they fertilize ;) ) and you've given me the brilliant idea to take the little one there for a visit if they'll have us!
You are amazing! You start by describing a movie and end with such a wonderful history and knowledge of the process of farming and dairy. Thanks for your informative posts.
My husband is searching for this film even as I type. I think this could be just the ticket for a stress free family evening. As always, you paint the picture beautifully. Hope we can find The Moo Man!
This post is a perfect example of why I follow your blog as best I can. What an incredible story. I'm watching the trailer right now and will check to see if Netflix has it. There is a goat farm right down the road from us and I go often for raw milk, yogurt and soaps! They don't do butter. But they do make a great soap for dogs/animals that helps with repelling fleas and such and smells wonderful. Thank Hilary for the info...
I just watched the trailer on the website of Mooman and want to see the rest. What a wonderful birthday present to offer someone. I would love to visit that farm! I'm so glad to hear that going organic is working so well for them. We have an organic dairy an hour from where I live...
I really enjoy films like this, and all your information about it makes me want to see it that much more. Sounds like such a good movie, with such an interesting and inspirational background.
So fun, Hilary! I'm so curious if you retain all of the information you post about… if so, you would have to be the most versatile, brilliant person ever. :)
i bet it is a very interesting film...i grew up around farms, so i am rather fond of my bovine friends....will have to see if i can find the movie...
I don't know what it is but there's something fascinating and very entertaining about cows. :) Maybe because - being a city girl - I have not become jaded by being around them. You find such wildly imaginative pieces to blog about, Hilary! Mooovers and shakers. My favorite cows are the rust-colored shaggy Scottish types but they probably aren't milk cows.
Great history here, and as for the movie, I now have to see it. I'll check Netflix. I see cows often in my neck of the world, but now I'll look at them with new knowledge. :-) Thanks.
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
now that's an incredible journey!
so glad it's still going strong - and changing with the times without tainting the nature's goodness will keep them in the forefront! very fun and informative, mooooo-ving post!
@ Jeanne - it's give it a try isn't it .. there are some very good health benefits - see their website. The movie is lovely and they are big creatures ...
@ Janie - the movie can be bought from Amazon or TrufflePig films direct .. I'm sure it'll get onto Netflix sometime ..
@ Val - it's just lovely .. so so British .. enjoy it ..
@ Julie - thanks: I've now put 'mooted' in italics - and I certainly hope you get to see the film at some stage ..
@ Suze - Andy Heathcote did an incredible job bringing the story of Ida and her herd to life as a movie .. it's very touching. He does the slow film burn - but it just means we have an exceptional movie to watch ..
Your comment is great - very pertinent to the ethos of the filming ... and yes isn't is surprising Alex hasn't had organic milk ...
@ Keith - good to see you .. and you are lucky living in charolais country, France .. and having those local cheeses available made from raw milk .. except we keep being told we have very good artisan foods here too .. so I must make an effort this summer and look around ... enjoy the film sometime ..
@ Karen - the trailers are fun - and I'm just delighted you enjoy my posts: thank you so much .. and it's good to know I broaden your horizons, while I broaden my own ..
@ Margie - I hope you can get to see it sometime .. it's not out yet on Netflix ... but enjoy the trailers for now.
I've never tried to milk a cow .. but fun your Dad attempted to teach you!
Isn't Ida very photogenic .. and I hope you enjoyed your glass of milk ...
@ Rosey - thanks for letting me know that for fertilise you meant lovely cow-pat style!
I hope the local farm allowed you and the little one to look round a litle?
@ Clarissa - I can't take credit for things - but thank you ... I pull and push information into something that I hope bloggers will enjoy .. so very glad to read you do!
@ Lisa - I emailed you I think .. I'm sure it will become available at some stage .. but it's getting enormous exposure and I hope will get onto Netflix at some stage .. it is possible to buy it - and I shipped one over to the States - just waiting to hear if it's arrived and what they think ...
Thanks everyone - this is part 1 of my reply comments ..
Hi Hilary, M already? Not heard of Moo Man the film but it does sound fascinating. I do have a lovely photo of a herd of cows that almost trampled family, buggy and dogs to death as we rushed to climb over the barbed wired fence. (Our fault for crossing the field and maybe the farmer's fault for not fencing them off from the footpath though that, pardon the pun, is a moot point) :-)
@ Lisa - that's great and thank you so much for your thoughts. I'm not sure if I emailed you... but I think it won't yet be on Netflix .. but I'm sure its exposure rate is going up fast ... so let's hope.
Interesting about your goat farm and glad you can get raw milk, yoghurt and soaps ... interesting about the soap for dogs/animals that repels fleas and such ..
So glad you watched the trailer - they are excellent film-makers, let alone the stars .. Stephen the farmer and his herd ... long may they succeed in the dairy industry I agree ...
@ MJ - it was such fun to learn about how the film came about, and to hear about how it was made etc ... I hope you can get to see it sometime ..
@ Morgan - I've emailed you .. so mostly I can remember what I've written about - if I can find it within my posts is another matter! But I am lucky as my memory bank is pretty good - I need to jog my memory though to remember the details probably, but I'd know something interesting had happened ... and would then chase around for it ..
@ Brian - lovely to see you .. I think you're in the States, which means it's not available on Netflix yet ...
But I hope at some stage you can watch some of your bovine friends!
@ River - they appear to be just lovely cuddly beasts, but if they don't want to move- you can't pick them up! - just have to wait til they decide .. as Ida did at the seaside ...
The Highland cow is the one you're thinking of .. and I've written two posts about that type .. one is a Scottish farmer who made a living out of writing novels as he farmed (2013) ... but when I searched cows - quite a few came up ... "Great escapes" is one (June 2009) .. and a more recent one in May 2013 "Choose to Shine" - (link across to the article included).
I have lots and lots of posts to write up - it's keeping up with my brain is the challenge! Just delighted you find them 'wildly imaginative' .. thanks!
@ Debi - I'm glad you'll look at cows in a new light .. and I hope the film will become available on Netflix - so pleased you enjoyed the post ..
@ Tara - wasn't it and isn't it .. it's good to read about and to see how the farm has adapted to the 21st century ...
Glad you enjoyed it ..
@ Debi - nope, we're way past M! I remembered about your troublesome herd - just glad you were safe - as they can be dangerous .. or as you imply us humans aren't always sensible?!
I hope you can get to the movie .. it is so well worth seeing ...
Thanks everyone ... I know that the farmer and his family, as well as Andy and Heike, and then our film society organisers will be so chuffed at all your comments ... thanks so much ..
Cheers Hilary
Sounds like a very interesting film and a great birthday gift. I have had milk straight from the cow. When I was little, the neighbour was a farmer and he would squirt the milk right into my mouth. I was lined up like one of the cats. It was warm and good:)
How wonderful! I'll have to look this film up, see if I can find it somewhere. I'd love to have an organic dairy farm close by (sadly, Curaçao is still waaaaay behind the times in that sense, and many others). The butter must be delicious!
I'm just now getting back on my feet after April; what a ride, eh? Thanks so much for your visits and your lovely comments--and I look forward to reading more of your posts throughout the year.
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
Well, this looks very interesting. I love Ida. The trailer was WONDERFUL. I can see why Ida is a star:~) The music was also excellent.
Sometimes we go forward in time to discover we need to backwards in time. To me, farming has definitely shown this to be the case. We went so large in farming; it became dangerous. I'm hoping this film and your post about it will help to recognized the value of farming on a smaller scale.
Hi human, Hilary,
A very British film, indeed. It seems to capture the quintessential essence of British farming.
If it's set for distribution via Channel 4 films, my human should be able to access it.
Moo Men, indeed. And yes, a moooving pawst, my dear human.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny!
Loved the trailer! There is a wonderful You tube about Jazz and Cows. A group of Jazz musicians play for a herd of cows on the other side of the fence and they all line up as if they are really into the music. It's called "Jazz for Cows" and takes place in France.
It would be great to see the film, it is also interesting in that I am allergic to dairy, perhaps the natural raw state might be different. Have a great weekend!
Udderly fascinating post. (Sorry.)
I've never tasted fresh-from-the-cow milk, but I imagine there's quite a difference it it from what I'm used to drinking. As much of the homogenized, pasteurized, skimmed stuff as I drink, I wonder if I'd appreciate the "real thing."
Cheers! Happy weekend.
It's wild to see raw milk being sold (on the market stall sign), it's illegal where I live :p
Hilary, this is a wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing the film and background to the story. I've very much enjoyed reading about it, and would like to try the organic products you've mentioned. The film sounds great too! :)
All I need to do is turn my head and I can usually see the cows in the park across the bay. The film sounds interesting. There is a place nearby where we could get fresh milk, but we have never been.
@ Birgit - what a lovely memory you've got when you were tiny - of standing in line waiting for your squirt .. wonderful scene you 'paint' ... thanks for commenting ..
@ Guilie - but you live on a lovely island and have those glories of Curacao! I hope the film will get out onto general release sometime soon ...
It was good April wasn't it .. and yes I too will be back to reading posts more methodically shortly .. glad we met ...
@ Sara - the whole film is amazing and so pleased you enjoyed the trailer, and yes I'm glad I put the link in to the music site ...
Good point about spreading the word for farmers, especially those who nurture our land and understand its roots ... keeping things as natural and simple as possible helps us all ...
@ Penny and Gary - I understand Channel Four has picked the film up ... I'm sure it'll get shown on tv at some stage soon ...
Good to see you Penny ..
@ Nat - so pleased you enjoyed the trailer ... have just checked out jazz for cows .. When the Saints Come Marching In will never be the same again!
@ Amanda .. I know I've emailed you .. and perhaps you'll consider using their mail order ... and as I mentioned the website contains some interesting information under the GAPS tab ...
@ Susan - lovely to see you ... and yes 'udderly' fascinating - quite agree ...
I have still to get to the farm and see what the real raw milk tastes like and put my order - I guess some adjustment .. but I'm sure it's healthier ...
@ Finley - I hope that organic farming is allowed .. but it's great that Hook and Son are spreading the word about organic dairy and we can buy it here in Britain ...
@ Sharon - so pleased you enjoyed the post .. thank you .. you can mail order the products - check out their website ...
And I hope we can all get to see the film soon ...
@ Rhonda - glad I've raised the profile of organic farming .. and that you'll make that trip in New Zealand and at some stage give the film a look, when it's available for distribution ...
Cheers everyone .. we had a lovely hot day yesterday ... now waiting for the cloud cover to clear, but not much wind ... hope we have a sunny weekend! Happy times to one and all - Hilary
ah, well i am out of luck yet...
i am in the states...in virginia actually...lot of cow country around here....
happy saturday
Sadly, back when I still drank milk, I tried unpasteurized milk once and was very ill afterwards. So I never tried it again and now I only consume soy milk.
I don't want to think what chemicals go into processed milk. But I do know that the moment my sister saw there was a movie about cows, she put it into her top ten of must watch list.
I don't want to think what chemicals go into processed milk. But I do know that the moment my sister saw there was a movie about cows, she put it into her top ten of must watch list.
This sounds just fabulous. I have cow neighbors now and just remembered a blog post I have in my drafts. I love your post, I love the cows, and I wish I could see the film. Did you see the video of the cows someone rescued and how they ran so happily out in the field after being indoor during the winter? I have to find it, saw it on someone's blog. It was a delight.
I had a friend who was a strong advocate of raw milk. I was always leery to try it, because of it not being pasteurized.
I had a friend who was a strong advocate of raw milk. I was always leery to try it, because of it not being pasteurized.
@ Brian - it's a good film, interesting too ... shows life on our side of the pond .. but quite understand .. I'd love to see Virginia ..
@ Diane - sorry to read this .. but at least you've found an alternative ...
@ Sarah - hi good to see you over here .. and that's a good thought about what chemicals go into our food, let alone milk .. and we need to remember we so often are eating factory made food ...
How fun that your sister wants to watch the film .. I hope it gets out into general distribution ..
@ Inger - it is a brilliant film - and I hope one day you'll get to see it ...
I suspect some of our flooded fields kept cows indoors this winter, and the cows in the film had to be kept in through a freezing winter .. and then they cavorted on being let out .. it is lovely to see and something we don't think of ... cows cavorting!
@ Sherry - I think it's having the opportunity to have the real stuff .. such a treat - yet so many of us drink pasteurised milk ...
Thanks so much .. lovely to have your comments - cheers Hilary
I haven't heard of this film. But it would be good to see because cows have such a big impact on our daily lives.
When I went to Serbia, I loved kaymak. Found out it was hard to get in the US and could be made only with raw milk.
Hi Theresa .. it's very new, so that's one reason why not ... but I hope you get to see it sometime when it gets into the mainstream.
Kaymak sounds rather good .. but I fear for the Bosnians and Serbs now as they've had an enormous quantity of rain .. and there are now very very bad floods .. it's looks dreadful ...
Thanks for the interesting addition to the post .. cheers Hilary
I must look out for this Hilary - great story..And I love Sussex - it's such a beautiful part of the world - hops and cows ... what more could you want! :)
I remember having raw milk as a child and making butter at my aunt's house - hard work is all I really remember about it. But someone was selling it near here at a threshing day last year ... and the butter was something else. Fil
This sounds a fascinating film; I'll watch out for it next time we have a film festival. Having grown up in dairying country, I'm still interested in cows and milk!
Chemical free pasture must be nice.
Also I shall recommend this to my daughter, she loves milk.
I have been reading a lot of blogs on and off but not commenting too much as my health is slowing me down. Also, the medication to slow down my heart is making me tired.
Fascinating! This guy is a marketing genius.
Hope you're well. My Mom broke her hip in early March, so I've been busy. Thank God, she is doing well.
@ Fil - I'm sure it'll get out into general distributorship .. the film is getting a lot of recognition.
Sussex is beautiful isn't it - but perhaps not as lovely as Ireland! Still we're lucky living in such a lovely part of the world ...
I'm sure butter making was hard .. our house used to be a dairy .. but I guess that was before the War - so we never had cows. I definitely want to get some of Hook Farms butter - when I get myself organised to get out there .. probably next week - I'll report back!
@ Juliet - that's a great idea .. I hope they'll show it for you in NZ ... and it'll bring some memories back for you ...
@ Munir - I agree .. we've put too many chemicals back into our intensively farmed lands - I hope your daughter enjoys the post ... and at some stage the film.
I've seen your comments around .. just look after you - that's more important ..
@ Susan - yes - it's a great story ... and very adventurous - I so hope all goes well ...
Sorry about your mother's hip - but am glad to see she's doing well ..
Cheers everyone and thanks for visiting ... Hilary
Very interesting. You know, that is one thing I lament about the US. Too many things are process. Yes, the FDA is important and their regulations are in place to protect people, but there comes a point where it's too much and people can't sell real food anymore because they're afraid of offending the government. Ug.
Hi Crystal - good to see you ... well I think we have the same problem here .. it is 'very' difficult to get 'real' food anymore .. unless you grow it yourself.
Thankfully a great many artisinal outlets are starting up .. and small farmshops, these outlets are selling their products ...
Chemical is moderation, but as you say overuse of rules and regulations is really too much.
Thanks for your salient comment - cheers Hilary
on monday i got a really neat cd in the mail from someone way special in the u.k. :) thanks thanks thanks for sending me such a cool movie. i watched it two times. i never knew much about cows or calving or dairies or what hard work it is. now i know bunches. its amazing how mr hook had such a cool relationship with all the cows. that was neat and special. the part about taking ida to eastbourne was funny. for sure she loved the sea air and didnt wanna go home. she was saying "ida wanna go home. ida rather stay right here." ha ha. she sure planted her feet in the ground and wasn't budging. it was sad when she got sick and died. it made me cry. i was glad she died in the field surrounded by her mates. its really sad that half of all english and welsh dairy farms closed down and the ones that are working arent making any profit and are losing money and struggling to keep going. thats soooo sad. someone should send the movie to prince charles. i read that hes a supporter of farming.
…hugs from lenny
Hi Lenny - what a wonderful comment and I'm so pleased you enjoyed the MooMan film .. it's fun isn't it - I watched it again last night with some friends I'm staying with ..
You've said some amazing things here - that are so appropriate to life in general and particularly farming life ...
I am sure the farmer, Mr Hook, and his family and the Director, Andy Heathcote, will be so pleased to see your comment ...
Prince Charles is a great supporter of farmer and all things natural ... and care of flora and fauna ... that's so true ... good idea ... I would hope that he has had a chance to see the film .. Messrs Hook and Heathcote will see your thought here ...
Have a very peaceful memorial weekend ... lovely to see your comment on the blog, GrandBlogSon! .. cheers from your GrandBlogMom .. Hilary
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