When the Cows Come Home introduces audiences to Tilly and Maggie, a pair of cows that musician, journalist, artist and cow whisperer, Andrew Johnstone has befriended and subsequently saved from slaughter. The garrulous herdsman is enthusiastic to expound his views on animal husbandry, bovine communication and the vagaries of life in general, before the film walks us back through the events that have shaped the singular farmer-philosopher. From personal family tragedy to warring with Catholic school authorities, innovating in Hamilton’s nascent music scene to creating guerrilla art installations; Johnstone’s life has had a truly idiosyncratic trajectory. Mental health issues may have seen him retreat to life on the farm, but the film makes clear its subject’s restless inquisitiveness is far from being put out to pasture.

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Cast:

Louise

Allen

Grant

Hislop

Zed

Brookes

Himanshu

Kera

Richard

Swainson

Andrew

Johnstone

Geoff

Lealand

Claudine

Johnstone

Noel

Johnstone

Louise

Allen

Grant

Hislop

Zed

Brookes

Himanshu

Kera

Richard

Swainson

Andrew

Johnstone

Geoff

Lealand

Claudine

Johnstone

Noel

Johnstone

Louise

Allen