La vache

"La Vache" is the story of Fatah, an Algerian farmer whose dream is to participate in the Paris International Agriculture Fair with his Tarentaise cow called Jacqueline.All his friends and neighbours are making jokes about this dream.But one day he receives the official invitation for his participation.After some debates the elders and friends of the village will help him for the costs of traveling to Paris.Then begins the real adventure of Fatah and Jacqueline !! As they have time enough they will join Paris on foot.Some incidents (a night in a karaoke, drinking pear liquor,a photograph of a kiss, an arrest) but also nice encounters , his stay in the house of the count, the love letter, the friendship and the solidarity of the people. And another important thing: the media, Fatha and Jacqueline begin to be famous on TV and YouTube: many people are waiting for them in Paris. I shall not escribe the end of the film. It's a story about encounters, about tolerance, friendship and solidarity. But it's also a story with quite a lot of humour and humanity: the philosophical talk of Fatah and the count about the life,the problems (Algeria should be champion of the world of the countries with problems) and the love (the first declaration of love for Naïma). I didn't know Fatsah Bouyahmed before this film, but it's a very good comedian. I enjoyed very much this story.

A peasant from remote village in Algeria gets an invitation to attend an international bovine show in Paris after years of applying for it. Although the villagers mock his devotion to his cow Jaqueline, they lend him money for the journey, as it is a village code to help the neighbours. Fatah and Jaqueline set off to Paris on foot after crossing the Mediterranean Sea. It's a bit like Ulysses in Homer's Odyssey; will he get there on time? The plot isn't original by any means, but the film conveys the old truth that the innocence and good humour can move even the most obdurate hearts.

Fatah, a peasant from Algier needs to bring his cow Jacqueline to Paris for visiting a contest. So he does all to get her to Paris. On their way, Fatah and Jacqueline face all kinds of people. It's a kind story with philosophical touch. I specially liked the acting of Fatsah Bouyahmed, who acts Fatah. He gives the main character an intelligent, but also naiv touch. Over the most playtime, I was tied to the screen, because I wanted so hard, that he succeeds. In that case the route is the goal. Fine movie, I like it.

A nice story about an ingenious Algerian peasant and his beloved cow. After many letters, he is admitted at Pasris agricultural fair. The support of the comunity makes the trip to France possible.

And, in large measure, this is all.

The rest can be reduced at cultural cliches, easy humor, Lambert Wilson,Jamel Debbouze , the effort of Fatsah Bouyahmed to explore the possibilities of his character.

You know the story and the end is so predictable.

A very soft film , inspiring some smiles, remembering Algerian obsession in different tone.

Nothing new but a reasonable film , remembering, maybe too much, others about similar theme.

This review will be very short.

With that said. While I loved this movie I found it frustrating that Fatah's Algerian community did not adequately prepare Fatah logistically for the LOOOOOONG journey. Walking from Marseilles to Paris with a cow and just a handful of belongings? I guess disbelief was indeed suspended. But I suppose that if Fatahs journey was made more comfortable / easier then there would be no story...