The SHEPHERD takes place in an imaginary future where animals have the same rights as humans. Nobody has the right to kill without the consent of the victim. Finland has been divided into two provinces of which the north struggles with famine. Former ferry-drummer and current shepherd, Maksimi, lives here in a ramshackle old church with his sheepdog, Bertil, and his only (wreck of a) sheep, Fluffy. He has invited to a knitting-event in the crypt of the church with a turn-up by artist Timo who is one part of an abusive relationship with his aggressive horse and co-worker, part-russian MyDream Diablo; farmer Petri and his goat Malviina, who is expecting their first child; a very angry horde of cattle on strike, led by Kari the Cook, among others.
In this absurd setting questions are asked: Who’s life has value? Are there limits to the diversity tolerable?
