Watch Peter And The Farm

Peter and the Farm is a documentary film from 2016 that follows the life of Peter Dunning, a grizzled and solitary farmer living in southern Vermont. Directed by Tony Stone, the film offers an intimate look into the life of this complex and fascinating character, exploring the ups and downs of his remote existence and the deep connections he has to his land and animals.

The film begins with a series of long shots of the Vermont landscape, accompanied by Dunning's voiceover narration. He talks about his love for the land and his deep connection to the animals he raises on his farm. We then see him going about his daily routine, performing various chores and tending to the needs of his cows, pigs, goats, and sheep.

Throughout the film, we learn more about Dunning's personal history and the events that have shaped his life. He talks about his family, his failed marriages, and the struggles he has faced as a farmer. He is a complex and contradictory figure, at times gruff and irritable, at other times tender and poetic.

One of the central themes of the film is the tension between Dunning's love for his animals and his role as their caretaker. He talks about the difficult decisions he has to make when it comes to culling his herd and the emotional toll that takes on him. At one point, he breaks down in tears as he talks about the trauma of losing a beloved cow.

The film also explores the physical toll that farming has taken on Dunning's body. We see him struggling with chronic pain and mobility issues, which he treats with copious amounts of alcohol. He talks about his regrets and struggles with addiction, which have only been amplified by his isolated lifestyle.

Despite these challenges, Dunning's love for his land and his animals shines through. We see him working tirelessly to maintain his farm, fixing fences and repairing equipment, even as he battles chronic pain and struggles with alcoholism. His passion for the land and the life he has chosen is infectious, and it's clear that he wouldn't have it any other way.

The film is shot in a minimalist style that emphasizes the rugged beauty of the Vermont landscape and the harsh realities of farm life. The cinematography is stunning, with long, lingering shots of the animals and the land giving the audience a sense of the rhythms and textures of Dunning's daily life.

Overall, Peter and the Farm is a moving and insightful portrait of an enigmatic and complex character, and a meditation on the challenges and rewards of a life spent in close communion with the land. It's a film that will stick with you long after the credits roll, and one that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the people who choose to live and work on the land.

Peter And The Farm is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 80.