Cow

I've mentioned before that I am practically forbidden from seeing movies where animals or children are in peril. Dumbo is the Disney movie that haunts me, to this day. And, Snow Angels from 2007 sent me into a week long depression. I'm not exaggerating very much, either.

Therefore, when I told my husband one of the movies I really wanted to see at the Cleveland International Film Festival was Cow, and I read him the description, I was laughing. He was not amused. 1940, China, during Sino-Japanese War. Niu Er lives in a village and is tasked with taking care of a cow, on loan from the Army. He is a simple peasant, but he takes his job seriously. And, in the aftermath of Japanese firebombing, that job is tough. Everybody wants a piece of the cow. The cow reminds him of his wife. The cow reminded me of my dog. The cow and the man struggle in a hostile environment with chaos all around to stay alive. I loved their story. I give Cow a 9 out of 10.