Butenland is the story of a former dairy farmer, an animal rights activist and the first cow retirement home.
Jan Gerdes is a third-generation dairy farmer, but he struggles with his conscience when the milk yield decreases and he has to sell his cows to the slaugtherhouse. After suffering a burn-out, he decides to give up his farm. On the day his last cows are due to be transported to the slaughterhouse, he finds that there’s no room for twelve of the cows. Instead of ordering another transport, he and his partner Karin Mück decide to keep them. This is the birth of Hof Butenland – the first cow retirement home in Germany. In the early 80s, Karin was one of the first activists to rescue dogs, cats and other animals from vivisection laboratories – actions that ultimately led to her arrest and imprisonment.
Paul was supposed to be slaugthered at the age of two months because of calf flu, Uschi because she refused to be milked; Lillja almost did not survive the birth of her first calf. On Butenland, they live together with many former farmed animals in an environment where they are equal to humans. It’s a peaceful coexistence that seems almost utopian.
This intimate portrait follows two compassionate people who have dedicated their lives to the animals. It captures moments of happiness and sadness, of life and death, and questions the status of farmed animals in today’s society.
Festivals
- 53rd Hof International Film Festival 2019 – Winner – Granit documentary award
- 3rd International Vegan Film Festival 2020 – Winner – Grand Prize
- 3rd International Vegan Film Festival 2020 – Winner – Best Animal Advocacy
- Greenmotions Filmfestival 2021 – Winner – Audience Award
- 17th Seoul Eco Film Festival 2020
- 14th International Green Screen Festival 2020
- Buster – Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth
- Globale Mittelhessen 2020
- Utopia Filmfestival 2021
82 Minutes, DCP, Cine4K, 1.90:1, German.
Status: Complete
World sales: mindjazz pictures interational
Theatrical release:
February 6, 2020 – Germany (mindjazz pictures)
Februrary 28, 2020 – Luxembourg
March 6, 2020 – Austria (polyfilm)
DVD / VOD release:
June 12, 2020 – Germany, Austria, Switzerland
