Through the story of eighteen-year-old Touton, director Louise Courvoisier, in her feature debut, paints a vivid portrait of the rural landscape where she grew up and its inherent beauty. Touton is a young man filled with arrogance who doesn’t do much with his life; he enjoys parties and drinking beer. However, after the death of his father, he suddenly finds himself forced to take on the responsibility of caring for his seven-year-old sister. One day, he decides to attempt making the best Comté cheese in the region, hoping to win a gold medal in an agricultural competition.The film was inspired by Courvoisier’s desire to highlight her village in the French Jura, where she spent her youth among her rural community. Her ambition is clear: to tell the story of a broken young man trying to rise again, using a style that combines tenderness and humor. In her own words, she explains, “It’s hard to talk about my region without mentioning Comté cheese, which is part of our landscape and occupies our farmers. I wanted to place it at the heart of the story.”The film bursts with vitality, effortlessly merging aspects of youth cinema with hints of the Western genre, while also instilling a sense of hope amidst the challenges encountered by its characters. Courvoisier chose non-professional actors, and her genuine affection for them translates into a high level of positivity. The dreams and disappointments of rural youth intertwine with the Comté cheese, which occupies a central role in the narrative, becoming a symbol of a life dedicated to its production. The director takes her time to capture the stages of cheese-making, treating it almost like a ritual. Yet behind this pursuit of the perfect cheese lies a deeper social vision, reflecting the harmony between knowledge, craftsmanship, and nature. Throughout the film, Courvoisier showcases young actors who are on a journey of self-discovery, all within a narrative distinguished by simple yet sincere writing that radiates warmth.Hauvick Habechian