Ep 3. Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass, the third episode of season 24 of the Emmy-winning documentary series POV, takes viewers on an awe-inspiring journey to the breathtaking mountains of Montana to witness a dying tradition that has lasted for hundreds of years - the last known big summer cattle drive in the country.

The film follows the shepherds, led by the elderly John Ahern, as they embark on a journey across the breathtaking Absaroka-Beartooth mountain range with their herd of 3,000 sheep. We see them deal with the harshness of a Montana summer, the threat of grizzly bears and wolves, and the erosion of a lifestyle that has sustained their families for generations.

Directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Ilisa Barbash, Sweetgrass is an acclaimed documentary that has been praised for its beautiful imagery and authentic portrayal of a quickly disappearing way of life. The filmmakers spent three years living and working with the shepherds and capturing their daily routines as they tended to their flock.

The journey that the shepherds embark on is anything but an easy one, and viewers are taken on an immersive and breathtaking adventure as they witness the trials and tribulations of the shepherds along the way. At times, Sweetgrass takes on an almost meditative tone, with long sequences of sheep grazing and the sounds of nature surrounding the viewer.

Interspersed with these moments of calm are also moments of drama, tension, and even humor, as we see the shepherds engage in banter and disagreements with one another. We also see them deal with the harsh realities of their profession, such as when they have to put down a sheep that has gone lame or when they are forced to leave behind a pregnant ewe that can no longer keep up with the flock.

Throughout it all, the shepherds' love and respect for their animals and the world around them is palpable, and it becomes clear that the film is as much about the relationship between humans and nature as it is about the cattle drive itself.

Sweetgrass is a thought-provoking documentary that will leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for the natural world and those who work hard to maintain it. It is a beautifully made film that captures the essence of a rapidly vanishing way of life, and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving our connection to the past.