Ramboy

There are more sheep than people on the Irish island of Achill, but it’s also home to Cian, whose grandfather Martin is a sheep farmer. When school is over for the summer, Martin takes it upon himself to teach his teenage grandson the ins and outs of farming. Much as the boy likes helping his grandfather, it’s almost a full-time job. Cian also likes to play soccer, swim and hang out with his friends, and getting up early every day is a challenge. Calmly observational and with a strong sense of the imposing landscape, Ramboy shows the bond between grandfather and grandson developing. Martin is strict, but Cian understands: previous generations had no choice but to toe the line. A careful listener can hear pride and tenderness beneath his stern instructions on sawing off the rams’ horns, cleaning the stables and managing the sheepdogs. Meanwhile, Cian ponders his future, with or without sheep. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)