When The Cows Come Home

When the Cows Come Home introduces audiences to Tilly and Maggie, a pair of cows that musician, journalist, artist and cow whisperer, Andrew Johnstone has befriended and subsequently saved from slaughter. The garrulous herdsman is enthusiastic to expound his views on animal husbandry, bovine communication and the vagaries of life in general, before the film walks us back through the events that have shaped the singular farmer-philosopher. From personal family tragedy to warring with Catholic school authorities, innovating in Hamilton’s nascent music scene to creating guerrilla art installations; Johnstone’s life has had a truly idiosyncratic trajectory. Mental health issues may have seen him retreat to life on the farm, but the film makes clear its subject’s restless inquisitiveness is far from being put out to pasture.

Country:

New Zealand

Genre:

Documentary

Duration:

104 minutes

Year:

2022

Director:

Costa Botes

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Company:

Lone Pine

Cast:
Andrew Johnstone

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Geoff Lealand

Self

Claudine Johnstone

Self

Noel Johnstone

Self

Louise Allen

Self

Crew:
Costa Botes

Director

Costa Botes

Cinematography

Andrew Johnstone

Cinematography

Daniel Batkin-Smith

Cinematography

Murray Milne

Cinematography