Petit Paysan

A farmer’s desperate attempts to save his cows from a deadly epidemic yields a surprisingly tense exercise in low-key suspense, which has been nominated for eight César Awards, including Best Film, Director, and Actor. Pierre (Swann Arlaud) is a dedicated dairy producer whose worst fears are realized when one of his cows contracts a Mad Cow-like disease. If reported, there will be one outcome: the slaughter of the entire herd. Rather than lose his livelihood, Pierre makes the risky decision to take matters into his own hands—and soon finds himself behaving with the panicked recklessness of a killer covering up his crime. Director Hubert Charuel draws on his own experiences growing up on a dairy farm to craft a vividly realistic thriller rooted in everyday life. New York Premiere