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Bergers

Bergers is a 2024 Canadian-French drama film directed by Sophie Deraspe.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bergers is a 2024 Canadian-French drama film directed by Sophie Deraspe. It follows a Montreal advertising executive who leaves his job to become a shepherd in Provence. The film is based on Mathyas Lefebure's semi-autobiographical novel and was also released in English as Shepherds.

Plot

The story follows Mathyas, who leaves Montréal to seek a new life as a shepherd in southern France. There he confronts the difficult realities of the profession and later forms a partnership with Élise as they undertake a transhumance with a flock of sheep.

Production

Bergers is a co-production associated with Canada and France and was directed by Sophie Deraspe, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Mathyas Lefebure. The film is adapted from Lefebure's semi-autobiographical novel D'où viens-tu, berger?.

Release

The film premiered in 2024 and was released commercially in Canada later that year, including a Québec release on 15 November 2024. It also had a VOD release in 2025.

Reception

The film received notable attention at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it won Best Canadian Feature. Coverage from Canadian media described it as a significant and well-received work in Deraspe's filmography.

Key facts

  • Bergers is a Canadian-French drama film directed by Sophie Deraspe.
  • The film stars Félix-Antoine Duval as a Montreal advertising executive who becomes a shepherd in Provence.
  • It is adapted from Mathyas Lefebure's 2006 novel D'où viens-tu, berger?.
  • The film won Best Canadian Feature at TIFF 2024.
  • Its alternate English title is Shepherds.
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Canadian context

Bergers is a Canadian-French co-production directed by Québec filmmaker Sophie Deraspe, stars Canadian actor Félix-Antoine Duval, and won Best Canadian Feature at TIFF 2024, making it notable for Canadian cinema audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bergers about?
It follows a Montréal advertising executive who leaves city life to become a shepherd in Provence and later joins a transhumance with a flock of sheep.
Who directed Bergers?
The film was directed by Sophie Deraspe.
What is the English title of Bergers?
The English title is Shepherds.
Is Bergers based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Mathyas Lefebure's novel D'où viens-tu, berger?.
When was Bergers released in Québec?
It was released in Québec on 15 November 2024.
Did Bergers win any awards?
It won Best Canadian Feature at TIFF 2024.

References

  1. AlloCiné — https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=1000000424.html
    Supports: French title, genre, director, cast, runtime, plot synopsis, and French release information.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29634258/
    Supports: Original title, release year, plot synopsis, and Canadian release date.
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergers_(film)
    Supports: Director, 2024 release, adaptation from Mathyas Lefebure's novel, and basic plot details.
  4. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vph4UN0Fnk
    Supports: Coproduction between France and Québec, cast, source material, and TIFF Best Canadian Film mention.
  5. Canadian Film Day — https://www.canfilmday.ca/film/bergers-shepherds/
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, TIFF 2024 Best Canadian Feature award, and Canadian relevance.
  6. Radio-Canada — https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2102702/critique-bergers-deraspe-film-provence-toronto
    Supports: TIFF premiere, adaptation source, and Montreal-to-Provence storyline.