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6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Sweetheart of a Shepherdess remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you are in the mood for something that feels like a dusty postcard from a century ago. If you want high-octane drama or tight pacing, stay far away. People who like folk tales or just really want to see someone get moody on a hillside will find something to like here. Everyone else? You’ll probably be checking your watch within fifteen minutes.
The whole thing plays out on the slopes of the Vardousia Mountains, and it is very green. The cinematography is basically just letting the camera hang out in a field while people look sad. There is a golden cross that is supposed to be the catalyst for the drama, but honestly, I spent half the movie forgetting it was even there.
The romantic tension is... well, it is a bit stiff. You have the poor shepherd and the rich guy, and you know exactly how this ends before the first title card even fades. It reminds me a bit of the slow-burn frustration in Tears and Smiles, where everyone is just kind of waiting for the inevitable unhappiness to settle in.
The movie really drags in the middle. It’s like it tries to be as grand as The Epic of Everest, but with way less mountain and way more moping. Sometimes a character will just walk off-screen, and you sit there for ten seconds waiting for them to do something else, but they just… don't.
It’s not bad, exactly. It just feels like it was filmed in a different reality where people have infinite time to stare at rocks and ponder their romantic failures. If you can lean into that slow, quiet vibe, it is fine. Otherwise, maybe just watch Toby the Fiddler instead if you want a bit more pep in your step.
Anyway, I liked the sheep. They seemed like they were having a decent time, at least until the heavy romantic subplots kicked in. 🐑
